On July 20th 1969 600 million people all around the world watched their television screens to see Neil Armstrong be the first human to set foot on the surface of the moon. This was man's greatest technological achievement and was the culmination of eight years work and ten previous NASA Apollo missions.
America was in a space race with the Soviet Union and they were losing that race with the Russians getting the first man; Yuri Gagarin in space and the first satellite; Sputnik in orbit. It was President Kennedy who announced in 1961 that American would put a man on the moon before the decade was out.
The first Apollo mission ended in disaster with the three astronauts dying on the launch pad. Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins were under no illusions that they were on a dangerous mission. So it was on July 16th 1969 8.32 EST that the Saturn V rocket was successfully launched from Cape Kennedy. It took the largest rocket ever built just 12 minutes to enter orbit, at one point travelling faster than bullet out of a rifle.
It took the astronauts three days to reach the moon with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin making the decent to the moon's surface. The Lunar module landed somewhere in the Sea of Tranquillity with approximately 15 seconds of fuel remaining. On hearing those iconic words from Neil Armstrong; "Houston,Tranquillity Base here. the Eagle has landed," the response was one of great relief with Houston responding;" Tranquillity we copy your're down. We've got a bunch of guys going blue, we're breathing again."
Four hours after landing Neil Armstrong descended the ladder and took that all important step, saying "One small step for Man One giant leap for Mankind." These words be remembered for the rest of time.
The two astronauts spent a total of 21 hours and 36 minutes on the surface of the moon which included seven hours of sleep after their two and a half hour moon walk.
This was an incredible achievement and was very much a leap into the unknown. The three astronauts displayed immense bravery and deserve their place in History.
This Week in the Past is brought to you by Blast From the Past, an educational service which provides History workshops for Primary schools across the South West of England. These workshops include a Neil Armstrong Workshop which concentrates on his life and the Apollo 11 Mission.
For more information go to https://www.blastfromthepast.co.uk/neil-armstrong
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