Apollo-11
Apollo-11 was the spaceflight that landed the first two people on the Moon. Here are detailed facts and historical context about this landmark mission:
Mission Overview
- Launch Date: July 16, 1969
- Launch Vehicle: Saturn V rocket
- Crew:
- Landing Date: July 20, 1969
- Landing Site: Sea of Tranquility
- Duration on Lunar Surface: Approximately 21.5 hours
- Return to Earth: July 24, 1969
Key Events
- "The Eagle has landed": Neil Armstrong's famous words when the Lunar Module "Eagle" touched down on the Moon.
- First Steps on the Moon: Neil Armstrong set foot on the Moon at 10:56 PM EDT on July 20, 1969, stating "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."
- Activities on the Moon: Armstrong and Aldrin conducted scientific experiments, took photographs, and collected 47.5 pounds of lunar material to bring back to Earth.
- Reunion in Orbit: After about 21.5 hours on the lunar surface, the astronauts lifted off from the Moon to rendezvous with Michael Collins in the Command Module "Columbia".
- Quarantine: Upon return to Earth, the crew entered a 21-day quarantine due to concerns about potential lunar pathogens.
Historical Significance
Apollo-11 was the culmination of the Space Race, fulfilling President John F. Kennedy's 1961 goal of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to Earth before the end of the decade. It demonstrated the technological prowess of the United States during the Cold War era and marked a pivotal moment in space exploration history.
Legacy
- The mission's success spurred further NASA lunar missions, though none returned humans to the Moon after Apollo-17 in 1972.
- Artifacts from Apollo-11, including the spacesuits and the lunar samples, are on display at various institutions like the Smithsonian.
- The mission's footage and audio recordings are iconic, influencing culture, art, and inspiring future generations to dream of space exploration.
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See Also