Apollo 11

Apollo 11was the spaceflight that landed the first humans, Americans Neil Armstrongand Buzz Aldrin, on the Moon on July 20, 1969, at 20:18 UTC. Armstrong became the first to step onto the lunar surface 6 hours later on July 21 at 02:56 UTC.

Armstrong spent about three and a halftwo and a half hours outside the spacecraft, Aldrin slightly less; and together they collected 47.5 pounds (21.5 kg) of lunar material for return to Earth. A third member of the mission, Michael Collins, piloted the commandspacecraft alone in lunar orbit until Armstrong and Aldrin returned to it for the trip back to Earth.

Technical details

Launched by a Saturn Vrocket from Kennedy Space Centerin Merritt Island, Florida on July 16, Apollo 11 was the fifth manned mission of NASA's Apollo program. The Apollo spacecraft had three parts:

1. - Command Modulewith a cabin for the three astronauts which was the only part which landed back on Earth
2. - Service Modulewhich supported the Command Module with propulsion, electrical power, oxygen and water
3. - Lunar Modulefor landing on the Moon.

After being sent to the Moon by the Saturn V's upper stage, the astronauts separated the spacecraft from it and travelled for three days until they entered into lunar orbit. Armstrong and Aldrin then moved into the Lunar Module and landed in the Sea of Tranquility. They stayed a total of about 21 and a half hours on the lunar surface. After lifting off in the upper part of the Lunar Module and rejoining Collins in the Command Module, they returned to Earth and landed in the Pacific Oceanon July 24.

Mission crew