All Astronauts
LEGENDIn MemoriamNASA
LEGENDIn MemoriamNASANASA·🇺🇸 United States·Born 1930
Neil Armstrong
First person to walk on the Moon (July 20, 1969)
206h
Hours in Space
2
Missions
1
EVAs
2.5h
EVA Time
That's one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.
Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed.
I believe that every human has a finite number of heartbeats. I don't intend to waste any of mine.
Mystery creates wonder and wonder is the basis of man's desire to understand.
Pilots take no special joy in walking. Pilots like flying.
Inspirations
Charles LindberghWilbur WrightOrville Wright
What they aspire to
He hoped the Apollo landings would be remembered as a step toward broader human exploration, not an endpoint.
Biography
First person to walk on the Moon. Commander of Apollo 11, he spoke the iconic words: 'That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.'
Before NASAU.S. Navy aviator who flew 78 combat missions in Korea, then a civilian research test pilot at NACA/NASA flying the X-15 to the edge of space.
Records & Firsts
Notable accomplishments by Neil Armstrong
- First person to walk on the Moon (July 20, 1969)
- First civilian to fly into space
Mission Timeline
- Command Pilot
Gemini
Gemini 8
Launch: Mar 16, 1966Landing: Mar 17, 1966Duration: 1 day- First docking of two spacecraft in orbit
- Commander
Apollo CSM/LM
Apollo 11
Launch: Jul 16, 1969Landing: Jul 24, 1969Duration: 8 days- First Moon landing
- First Moonwalk
Beyond the Mission
Hobbies & Interests
soaring (gliders)flyingplaying the baritone horn
Causes They Champion
Aerospace engineering educationUniversity of Cincinnati engineering faculty
Languages
English
Awards & Honors
- Presidential Medal of Freedom
- Congressional Space Medal of Honor
- Congressional Gold Medal
- NASA Distinguished Service Medal
- Collier Trophy
Fun fact
He earned his student pilot's license on his 16th birthday, before he had a driver's license.
Item flown to space
A piece of fabric and propeller from the Wright brothers' 1903 Wright Flyer.
Learn More
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