Celebrating 55 Years Since Apollo 11's Historic Moon Landing

55th anniversary of Apollo 11 landing: On July 20, 1969, the world achieved a monumental milestone with Apollo 11’s successful moon landing. This mission, led by NASA, marked the first time humans set foot on the lunar surface, altering our understanding of space and highlighting the spirit of exploration. Launched from Kennedy Space Center on July 16, 1969, Apollo 11 was powered by the Saturn V rocket, the most powerful rocket ever built.

The Crew and Their Journey

The Apollo 11 mission was manned by Commander Neil Armstrong, Command Module Pilot Michael Collins, and Lunar Module Pilot Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin. Armstrong and Aldrin were tasked with landing on the moon, while Collins orbited above in the Command Module, named "Columbia." The Lunar Module, "Eagle," separated from the Command Module and began its descent towards the moon’s surface.

The Historic Landing

On July 20, the Eagle faced challenges during its descent, including a computer overload and the risk of landing in a rocky area. Armstrong took manual control and successfully landed the module at 20:17 UTC in the Sea of Tranquility. Armstrong’s famous words as he first set foot on the moon, "That's one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind," were broadcast live to millions of viewers worldwide.

'One small step'

"That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” Armstrong proclaimed as he became the first person to step on the moon. Armstrong grew up in northwestern Ohio's Wapakoneta, now home to the Armstrong Air and Space Museum. The museum's tribute Saturday begins with a pair of “Run to the Moon” races. followed by model rocket launches and wind tunnel demos. John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth, hailed from New Concord on the opposite side of the state, some 150 miles (240 kilometers) away. The John and Annie Glenn Museum will be open there Saturday for your astronaut fix.

Activities on the Lunar Surface

Armstrong and Aldrin spent approximately 21 hours on the moon, conducting scientific experiments, collecting lunar samples, and taking photographs. Their work provided valuable insights into the moon’s geology and composition. The astronauts also left behind scientific instruments and the American flag, symbols of their groundbreaking achievement.

The Return and Legacy

Apollo 11’s mission concluded with a successful splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on July 24, where the crew was recovered by the USS Hornet. The mission not only showcased remarkable technical prowess but also inspired a global sense of wonder and unity. As we commemorate the 55th anniversary of this historic event, Apollo 11’s legacy endures, symbolizing the boundless potential of human ambition and the quest for exploration.

Next up: Apollo's twin

NASA aims to send four astronauts around the moon next year — part of a new moon program named Artemis after Apollo's twin sister in Greek mythology. The SLS rocket for that flyaround — short for Space Launch System — is due at Kennedy Space Center next week. It's arriving by barge from NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. This core stage will get a pair of strap-on boosters at Kennedy before blasting off in September 2025 — at the earliest — with three U.S. astronauts and one Canadian. None of them will land on the moon; that will come on a following mission with another crew no earlier than 2026.