Celebrating 45th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing
"One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind," Neil Armstrong said. It's difficult to believe that its been 45 years since man first set foot on the moon. Seen here: The Apollo 11 crew relaxes after their training. Photo: NASA- Apollo 11 astronauts, still in their quarantine van, are greeted by their wives upon arrival at Ellington Air Force Base.
- Mission Control celebrates after the successful attempt.
- It took Apollo 11 about three days to return back to the earth. Seen here: The team rejoice, it was a historic moment!
- They collected invaluable samples and specimens and left behind a plaque that read, “Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the moon July 1969 A.D. We came in peace for all mankind.”
- Seen here: LM ascent stage and Earth overhead.
- Because of landing a huge vehicle, John C. Houbolt championed the Lunar Orbit rendezvous concept. Apollo was split into two: a command module which did not land and a separate lunar excursion vehicle.
- And the moment when Aldrin steps on the lunar soil.
- Aldrin then descended to the moon and carried out various experiments like solar wind and seismic experiment.
- The moon journey is a difficult one as the gravity is lumpy and no atmosphere to protect the astronauts. Seen here: Flight controllers during lunar module descent.
- Earth rise viewed from lunar orbit prior to landing.
- After a couple of hours, the crew did a live television broadcast showing what the Earth looked like from 147,300 miles! Seen here: Crater 308 viewed from orbit.
- Following a flawless launch the day before, the Apollo 11 continued to maintain their course. They made brief corrections as the engines would help them to get into and out of lunar orbit.
- Apollo 11 lifts off from Saturn V on launch pad 39A.
- Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins launched Apollo 11 from Florida on July 16, 1969. They ventured out on the lunar surface on July 20th.
"One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind," Neil Armstrong said. It's difficult to believe that its been 45 years since man first set foot on the moon. Seen here: The Apollo 11 crew relaxes after their training. Photo: NASA
Celebrating 45th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing
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