Neil Armstrong: Life Story, Bio and Facts
Who is Neil Armstrong?
Neil Armstrong (August 5, 1930 – August 25, 2012) was an American astronaut and aeronautical engineer who became the first person to walk on the surface of the Moon. He served as the commander of the Apollo 11 mission, which was the first manned mission to land on the Moon, on July 20, 1969.
Armstrong was born in Wapakoneta, Ohio, and developed an early interest in aviation. He served as a naval aviator in the Korean War and later earned a degree in aerospace engineering from Purdue University. He joined the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the 1950s and became an astronaut in 1962.
In 1969, Armstrong and fellow astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins were selected to fly the Apollo 11 mission. On July 20, Armstrong and Aldrin landed the lunar module on the surface of the Moon, while Collins orbited above. Armstrong famously declared, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind" as he became the first human to step on the surface of the Moon.
After the successful completion of the Apollo 11 mission, Armstrong became a national hero and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He left NASA in 1971 and returned to teaching and research in aerospace engineering. He later served on the boards of various organizations and continued to promote space exploration and education.
Armstrong died on August 25, 2012 due to complications resulting from heart surgery. He is widely considered a national hero and a symbol of American achievement and technological advancement, and his legacy continues to be celebrated and remembered in the United States and around the world.
Neil Armstrong Fast Facts
Neil Armstrong (August 5, 1930 – August 25, 2012) was an American astronaut, engineer, and the first person to walk on the Moon. He was the commander of the Apollo 11 mission, which landed on the Moon on July 20, 1969.
* Armstrong was born in Wapakoneta, Ohio and grew up in a family of aviators. He became interested in flying at an early age and took his first flight lesson at age 15.
* He joined the U.S. Navy and served as a naval aviator before being selected as an astronaut by NASA in 1962.
* Armstrong was the commander of the Apollo 11 mission, which was the first manned mission to land on the Moon. On July 20, 1969, Armstrong and fellow astronaut Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin became the first human beings to walk on the lunar surface.
* Armstrong is famous for his statement while stepping on the lunar surface, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."
* Armstrong served as the backup commander for the Apollo 8 and Apollo 11 missions, and also served as a member of the NASA Advisory Committee and the NASA Aeronautics Board.
* After leaving NASA, Armstrong became a professor of aerospace engineering at the University of Cincinnati, and also served as a spokesman for several business and technical companies.
* Armstrong passed away on August 25, 2012 due to complications resulting from cardiovascular procedures.
* Neil Armstrong's achievement of being the first person to walk on the moon made him an American hero and an inspiration to many aspiring astronauts and scientists. He continues to be remembered as a symbol of human achievement and exploration.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
