Two Men Walked on the Moon Long Ago

July 19th, 2024

As we approach the 55th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 mission, when astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin famously walked on the lunar surface, the sky will feature a full moon—a fitting celestial tribute to their monumental achievement on July 20, 1969. Aldrin, who is now 94 years old and the lone survivor of the Apollo 11 crew, will be the guest of honor at a gala in the San Diego Air and Space Museum. Joining him will be astronaut Charlie Duke, who communicated with the Moon from Mission Control during the landing. Celebrations are not confined to this single event; across the United States, people will be honoring the milestone. From the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, close to the launch pad of the Saturn V rocket that carried the astronauts, to the Johnson Space Center in Houston, where Mission Control resides, tributes are planned. The Kennedy Space Center's moon fest commemorates the journey that began on July 16, 1969, and culminated with the Eagle lunar module's successful touchdown. Meanwhile, the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum has launched an online portal to explore the Apollo 11 mission further. Special exhibits include Armstrong's restored spacesuit from the mission, on display along with the return capsule in Washington. Other Apollo 11 memorabilia, such as spacesuits belonging to Aldrin and Michael Collins, who orbited the moon while his comrades descended to its surface, also form part of the cherished Smithsonian collection. Armstrong passed away in 2012, and Collins in 2021, but their legacies are immortalized in museums such as the Armstrong Air and Space Museum in Ohio and the John and Annie Glenn Museum, paying homage to their spacefaring spirits. The Apollo 11 crew’s voyage culminated in their Pacific Ocean splashdown, and the USS Hornet, which recovered them, now serves as a museum in California preparing for its own celebratory event. Considerations of lunar pathogens led to the quarantine of the astronauts, along with the 22 kilograms of lunar samples they brought back. These moon rocks remain predominantly sequestered within the Johnson Space Center for scientific study. Looking ahead, NASA's vision includes the Artemis program, named after Apollo's mythological twin sister, which shall send another set of astronauts around the moon in the forthcoming years. With the latest mission hardware on its way to the Kennedy Space Center, the next lunar chapter promises a new ensemble of astronauts, including a Canadian, to orbit the moon, although landing is planned for subsequent missions. As diverse events unfold and movies like “Fly Me to the Moon” rekindle the heroic tales of early space exploration, it is an opportune moment to reflect on the significance of Apollo 11's journey—not just for the individuals involved, but for humanity's collective aspirations. The moon's full glow this weekend will serve as a luminous reminder of just how far those aspirations can take us.

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💭 Discussion Questions

. In what ways do the celebrations across various locations like the Kennedy Space Center and the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum contribute to the commemoration of the Apollo 15 mission?

. How is the legacy of the Apollo 11 astronauts being preserved and honored in institutions and memorials across the United States?

. How does NASA's Artemis program aim to build on the achievements of the Apollo missions, and what are the future goals for lunar exploration?

📖 Vocabulary

🌐 Cultural context

The Apollo 11 mission is a celebrated event in U.S. history, marking the first time humans walked on the moon. The cultural significance extends to the awe of space exploration and American pride in the accomplishment.

🧠 Further reading

Apollo program

The United States embarked on a historical quest called the Apollo program, orchestrated by NASA, with the audacious aim of sending humans to the Moon. Inaugurated during President Eisenhower's term, the initiative expanded from its predecessor, Project Mercury, which saw the first Americans orbiting our planet. The project gained momentum under President John F. Kennedy, who fervently advocated for a lunar landing. His vision came to fruition with the triumphant Apollo 11 mission in 1969, which saw astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin traipse across the Moon's surface. They, along with Michael Collins, who piloted the command module orbiting the Moon, safely returned to Earth. Between 1968 and 1972, the Apollo program accomplished six lunar landings in total, with twelve astronauts having the opportunity to explore the Moon. Despite this success, the journey was not without its tribulations. Tragically, in 1967, the Apollo 1 crew perished in a fire during a preliminary test on the ground. Additionally, after the initial lunar landing, plans for further moon exploration were curtailed due to budget constraints, leading to the cancellation of three missions. The subsequent missions that did go forward had their shares of drama and close calls, especially Apollo 13. An explosion of an oxygen tank en route to the Moon endangered the lives of the astronauts, necessitating a critical maneuver to return them safely to Earth – a journey which tested the limits of human ingenuity and resilience in space exploration.

Space suit

Space suits play a pivotal role in safeguarding human life in the unforgiving environment of outer space, which presents vacuum conditions and erratic temperature changes. Not only are these specialized garments deployed as a crucial precautionary measure within the confines of spacecraft to combat potential cabin pressure loss, but they are also essential for any activities conducted outside the spacecraft—famously known as extravehicular activities (EVAs). This gear has been pivotal in the execution of tasks in the Earth's orbit, during lunar explorations, and on journeys back to our planet from the Moon. To enhance wearer comfort and efficiency during movement, modern space suits are no mere pressure garments but sophisticated assemblies teeming with advanced environmental modules that mitigate the inherent stiffness of such suits in vacuous conditions. Typically, these ensembles come with their self-contained oxygen supplies and intricate life support systems, granting the astronaut a significant range of motion, untethered from the spacecraft. Space suits are categorized based on the nature of their intended use. Intravehicular activity (IVA) suits are designed for use inside a spacecraft, offering a lighter build and added comfort. In contrast, suits intended for both the interior and the exterior of spacecraft, labeled intra/extravehicular activity (IEVA) suits, like the Gemini G4C, incorporate additional defenses to endure the severe threats of space. Extravehicular activity (EVA) suits are engineered for use outside of spacecraft and are exemplified by the EMU suits utilized for spacewalks or planetary expeditions. These suits must counter all adversities encountered in outer space, whilst ensuring sufficient operational flexibility for the wearer. Similar properties are desired in pressure suits tailor-made for specific roles such as high-altitude reconnaissance aviation. Beyond the Armstrong limit—which is approximately 19,000 meters (62,000 feet) where water boils at the temperature of the human body—such pressurized garments are of utmost necessity. The blueprint for modern high-altitude full-pressure suits can be

Time capsule

Time capsules are an intriguing method used to communicate with future generations by preserving and compiling goods or information that represent the current era. Contrary to the ancient tradition of preserving sacred relics, the concept of creating a collection of day-to-day objects and messages for people of the future is fairly modern. These capsules are often sealed during significant societal events or celebrations—such as the inauguration of a new building or global expositions. The term "time capsule" is believed to have been coined in 1938, yet the practice could be much older. There are a few notable early examples of this phenomenon. In Poland, a time capsule from 1726 was discovered. In the United States, Boston's historic Faneuil Hall bears a weather vane dating from 1742 which concealed artifacts dating back to 1761. Similarly, a discovery was made within a religious statue in Sotillo de la Ribera, dating back to 1777. Further excavations in Burgos, Spain in 2017 uncovered a time capsule hidden in a wooden statue of Jesus Christ, containing a document from the same year that described the era's economy, politics, and culture. One particularly famous American capsule is attributed to Samuel Adams and Paul Revere. Originating from the Revolutionary period in 1797, it was placed in the cornerstone of the Massachusetts State House and has been opened, supplemented with new items, closed, and once again opened in 2015. The unveiling of the artifacts was a carefully restricted event to protect the items, which were briefly showcased at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston before being returned to their original location.