On This Day (July 20)

[MSFixR]

Apollo 11 launched July 16, 1969 at 13:32 UTC

On July 20, 1969 the lunar module (LM) Eagle of Apollo 11 separated from the command module Columbia. Michael Collins, alone aboard command module Columbia, inspected Eagle as it pirouetted before him to ensure the craft was not damaged.

The Eagle in lunar orbit immediately after separating from Columbia.

As the descent began, Neil Armstrong and Edwin (Buzz) Aldrin found that they were passing landmarks on the surface 4 seconds early and reported they were "long". They would land miles west of their target point. The LM navigation and guidance computer distracted the crew with several unusual "1201" and "1202" program alarms. Inside Mission Control Center in Houston, Texas, computer engineer Jack Garman told guidance officer Steve Bales it was safe to continue the descent and this was relayed to the crew. When Armstrong again looked outside, he saw that the computer's landing target was in a boulder-strewn area just north and east of a 400 meter diameter crater (later determined to be "West crater", named for its location in the western part of the originally planned landing ellipse). Armstrong took semi-automatic control and with Aldrin calling out altitude and velocity data, landed at 20:17 UTC on July 20 with about 25 seconds of fuel left.

Buzz Aldrin spoke the first words (albeit technical jargon) from the LM on the lunar surface. Throughout the descent Aldrin had called out navigation data to Armstrong, who was busy piloting the LM. As Eagle landed Aldrin said, "Contact light! Okay, engine stop. ACA - out of detent." Armstrong acknowledged "Out of detent" and Aldrin continued, "Mode control - both auto. Descent engine command override off. Engine arm - off. 413 is in.

Then Armstrong said the famous words, "Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed."

Shortly after landing, before preparations began for the EVA, Aldrin broadcast that: “This is the LM pilot. I'd like to take this opportunity to ask every person listening in, whoever and wherever they may be, to pause for a moment and contemplate the events of the past few hours and to give thanks in his or her own way.”

At 02:56 UTC on July 21 (10:56pm EDT, July 20), 1969, Armstrong made his descent to the Moon's surface and spoke his famous line "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind" six and a half hours after landing. Aldrin joined him, describing the view as "Magnificent desolation."

Buzz Aldrin poses on the Moon allowing Neil Armstrong to photograph both of them using the visor's reflection.

Buzz Aldrin’s bootprint. It was part of an experiment to test the properties of the lunar regolith.

The historical plaque on the ladder of Apollo 11's lunar module "Eagle", still remaining on the Moon

References: Wikipedia, NASA

[Plastic Flute]

What a day. I mean ..so much needs to said. Is there any Utube vids of the astronaunts at the Whitehouse?
Fix, my hubby is a mailman in Montclair. On his route is Buzz Aldridges old house. There is a rock with a plaque that states his honor. Im going to ask him to a pic for us.

[MSFixR]

[Plastic Flute]

That was really nice