Neil Armstrong
Who is Neil Armstrong?
Neil Alden Armstrong, born August 5, 1930 and died August 25, 2012, was an American astronaut, test pilot, United States Navy aviator and professor.
For what is he known for?
Neil Armstrong is known for being the first person to set foot on the moon. The success of the Apollo 11 mission, in which Neil was on for his mission to set foot on the moon, in 1969 ushered in a brand-new era of space exploration.
Biography
Ancestry
Armstrong family's origin derives from Scotland, part of the United Kingdom.
Early life
Originally from Wapakoneta, Ohio, Neil Armstrong was the oldest of three children. He flew on an airplane for the first time at age six, an experience that ignited a love for aviation in him. In the year following his 16th birthday, he earned his pilot's license and joined the Naval Air Cadets.
Family
Neil Armstrong's family consists of Janet Elizabeth Shearon (his ex wife), Karen Armstrong (his daughter who died 28 January 1962), Carol Held Knight (his wife), Eric Armstrong (his first son), Mark Armstrong (his second son), Dean Armstrong (his brother), June Armstrong (his sister), Stephen Armstrong (his father), and Viola Armstrong (his mother).
Study and career
From 1949 to 1952, Neil served as a naval aviator in the Korean War, which interrupted his studies in aeronautical engineering and where he was shot down once and was awarded three Air Medals. In 1955, he graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor of science in aeronautical engineering. The man who later became NASA's first civilian pilot began his career as a civilian researcher. Before joining the space program in 1962, he flew over 2,450 hours, testing various supersonic fighters as well as the X-15 rocket plane. In 1966, Armstrong was the commander of Gemini 8, with David R Scott.
Most famous quotes
“That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
"I think we're going to the moon because it's in the nature of the human being to face challenges. It's by the nature of his deep inner soul... we're required to do these things just as salmon swim upstream."
"Geologists have a saying - rocks remember."
"It suddenly struck me that that tiny pea, pretty and blue, was the Earth. I put up my thumb and shut one eye, and my thumb blotted out the planet Earth. I didn't feel like a giant. I felt very, very small."
"Houston, Tranquillity Base here. The Eagle has landed."
"I guess we all like to be recognized not for one piece of fireworks, but for the ledger of our daily work."
"I believe that every human has a finite number of heartbeats. I don't intend to waste any of mine running around doing exercises."
"Mystery creates wonder and wonder is the basis of man's desire to understand."
"Research is creating new knowledge."
Achievements
Importance
Neil Armstrong is important because he was the first person to set foot on the moon.
Space flights
Armstrong spent in total eight days and 14 hours in space during two space trips, including walking on the moon for two hours and 14 minutes. During the Gemini 8 flight in March 1966, he successfully docked two spacecraft in orbit with David Scott as pilot.
Awards
Neil received the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1969), the Collier Trophy (1969), the Hubbard Medal (1970), the British Academy Television Award for Best Foreign Television Show (1970), the Logie Award: Gold Logie Special Award for Best Television Moment in Their Transmission from the Moon (1970), the Sylvanus Thayer Award (1971), the Congressional Space Medal of Honor (1978), the Langley Gold Medal (1999), the Congressional Gold Medal (2009), and the General James E. Hill Lifetime Space Achievement Award (2013).
Author: William Homier
Editor: William Homier
Video credit goes to NASA Johnson.
This page was last edited on 11 April 2022, at 19:45 (HAE).
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