Neil Armstrong became an astronaut in 1962. He was in the second group of astronauts ever chosen. He was the commander of Gemini 8 in 1966. He flew on that on that mission with david Scott. They were the first astronauts to dock, or connect, two vehicles in space.
What happened on the Apollo 11 Mission?
Armstrong's second flight was Apollo 11 in 1969. He was the mission commander. He flew with Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins. Armstrong and Aldrin landed on the moon in a lander named Eagle. They were the first people to land on the moon. Collins did not land. He circled the moon in the Apollo capsule. After they landed, Armstrong and Aldrin walked on the moon. Armstrong took the first step on the moon. He said, "That's one small step for a man; and one giant leap for mankind."
Armstrong and Aldrin spent more than two hours outside their spacecraft on the moon. They studied the surface. They collected rocks. After almost a day, they blasted off. They docked with Collins in orbit around the moon. All three then flew back to Earth.
What Did Neil Armstrong Do After Apollo 11?
Neil Armstrong retired from NASA after Apollo 11. In 1971, he became a college professor. He taught until 1979. Later, he helped run a company that made computer software.
Courtesy of NASA. http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/k-4/stories/who-was-neil-armstrong-k4.html (06/02/2011)
As long as I can remember, I have wanted to be an astronaut. The walls of my room are decorated with posters of space shuttles and famous astronauts. My favorite poster is one of Neil Armstrong who I think is the greatest astronaut of all. I enjoy reading over and over again, facts about his second flight on the Apollo 111.
Sometimes I even pretend I am on that mission.
I am on the Eagle Lander, excited to touch the surface of the moon. Neil, Buzz and I are full of both excitement and fear, as we do something no other humans have done. We step out of our ride, feeling the strangeness of the lack of gravity. Our suits protect us, but the bulkiness is awkward. Of course, Neil is in front and he takes the first step. For two hours we explore this celestial2 world, collecting rock samples which will be studied back on Earth.
Sadly, our time comes to an end as we must join up with our capsule. Once on board the Apollo, we begin our journey back to earth. As our planet becomes larger and larger, the moon looks smaller and smaller. We savor each moment of this incredible and historical day.
My imagination fades as I come back to reality. How awesome it would be to really visit the moon with my favorite astronaut. For now, it's just a wonderful and distant dream.
1 Apollo 11: the mission during which astronauts first set foot upon the Moon
2 celestial: of the sky; heavenly