This upper-intermediate level learning activity based on the Apollo 11 space mission will help improve vocabulary and develop English listening skills.
As soon as they fired up their engine, the astronauts reached a state called “gimbal lock,” wherein their Eagle could tip over if they did not burp their engine quickly enough.
Who were the astronauts on Apollo 11?
Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins made history when they became the first astronauts to set foot on the Moon. Their historic mission began on July 16, when they launched from pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Three astronauts boarded Eagle, docked it to Columbia and set off into space for 21 hours and 30 minutes of lunar exploration – leaving behind historic boot prints on its surface. When they stepped out from their landing module on to its surface they were met by over 530 million viewers from Earth who came out to welcome them back home!
Apollo 11 was NASA’s second lunar landing mission. Apollo 10, which served as a dress rehearsal, featured astronauts Thomas Stafford, John Young and Eugene Cernan bringing their lunar module within approximately 50,000 feet (15,000 meters of landing. However, they didn’t attempt an attempt.
After Apollo 11, Armstrong and Aldrin made the first of five manned Moon landings, conducting scientific experiments and collecting samples from lunar surfaces. They also tested out a Lunar Roving Vehicle which enabled them to travel further away than was possible by foot.
Armstrong and Aldrin also participated in live television broadcasts from Columbia command module, answering questions from people all over the world.
Armstrong and Aldrin reached the Moon at 2:56 am EDT on 20 July 1969, several hours after their scheduled time. Once out of their lunar module, they fired it again to start their descent towards its surface, walking on regolith soil as they discovered rocks and debris along their journey.
Once they had explored most of the Moon’s surface, they returned to their lander and docked with the command module again. They waited about an hour before restarting their descent engine in preparation for returning home to Earth.
On July 24, 1972, Apollo 11 astronauts returned to earth and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean, being welcomed by millions of Americans who lined the shore. Each crew member had previously experienced space flight – making this mission the only manned mission with an all-veteran crew. Michael Collins served as backup for Apollo 8 Commander Jim Lovell but was cleared to fly on Apollo 11. Upon his return home he held various management roles within NASA before authoring books such as “Carrying The Fire” and “Liftoff”.
What time did Neil Armstrong land on the Moon?
Apollo 11 successfully made its landing on the Moon at 2:56 GMT on July 21, 1969, with Neil Armstrong as its first step onto its surface, followed 19 minutes later by Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin. Together they spent two and a half hours taking photos and gathering samples for analysis upon return to Earth – with over one billion viewers worldwide watching on television.
Prior to becoming a NASA astronaut, Armstrong served in the Navy as an F-9F Panther fighter pilot during the Korean War. Following graduation from Purdue University on a naval scholarship and joining NASA as a test pilot in 1958, Armstrong soon established himself as one of the world’s daring and skillful test pilots; becoming well known for rescuing his Gemini 8 spacecraft when its thruster failed and sent it into an uncontrollable spin – which Armstrong managed to control with help from fellow astronaut David Scott.
Armstrong and Aldrin used Eagle for their lunar landing mission on Apollo 11, after it separated from Columbia under Michael Collins’ pilotage. Through an interconnecting tunnel from Columbia into Eagle they embarked upon their lunar mission.
Even though it may seem that Apollo 11 was comprised solely of male astronauts, thousands of women played key roles in making its success possible. Women worked to construct both the Saturn V rocket that sent astronauts to the Moon and its landing cameras; as well as providing essential mission control teams based in Houston that helped astronauts communicate.
After eight days of traveling around the moon in their lunar module, three astronauts returned home in their lunar module and began their return journey homeward. When they arrived back on Earth they were quarantined for several weeks to ensure no harmful contaminants from outer space had made their way back with them. Apollo 11 marked an incredible feat and marked a new era in human space exploration; knowledge and technology gained during Moon missions have had profound ramifications across sectors as varied as aviation and medicine.
What did Neil Armstrong say when he first stepped onto the Moon?
On July 20, 1969, millions of people worldwide tuned in to televisions to witness Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin take one small step toward human history and one giant leap for mankind: they descended from Lunar Module Eagle into the Moon’s surface wearing space suits and carrying oxygen bottles containing air to breathe while wearing spacesuits and backpacks of oxygen to breathe. When they reached its surface Armstrong famously exclaimed “That’s one small step for (a) man, one giant leap for mankind!” (this quote has become one of the most iconic quotes ever spoken). As they reached its surface Armstrong spoke one small step for (a) man and one giant leap for mankind.” (which quickly became iconic).
Armstrong first made this claim and many believed he said it spontaneously; however, its wording suggests otherwise.
Armstrong was a pilot by trade and had spent seven years training to become a NASA astronaut. During that time, he flew over 200 different aircraft including the high-altitude X-15 that reached speeds of over 4000 mph – reaching even further into space than previously possible. Additionally, Armstrong was known for remaining calm and collected even under high-pressure situations, making him ideal for taking on such an uncertain mission as Apollo 11 (an eventful and risky endeavor).
Once their lunar landing was complete, Armstrong and Aldrin began exploring its surface. They collected 21.7 kilograms of samples – the first ever from another planet body – later analyzed for aluminum, iron, silicon, titanium as well as organic compounds and water vapor, suggesting the Moon may have once hosted liquid oceans.
Armstrong and Aldrin were placed under quarantine upon returning to Earth, while scientists conducted thorough investigations for signs of contagious diseases contracted while exploring the Moon. Luckily, neither man contracted any infections while traveling through space; upon their return home to California they resumed normal lives as they once again joined everyday life.
Who joined Neil Armstrong on the Moon?
Over half a century has passed since Apollo 11 space mission launched on 16 July 1969 with Neil Armstrong, Command Module Pilot Michael Collins and Lunar Module Pilot Buzz Aldrin aboard. These astronauts became the first humans to land on the Moon; their landing was watched by over 530 million viewers worldwide on television. How much do you know about this significant historical event?
Neil Armstrong was born in Wapakoneta, Ohio, and began flying as soon as he could walk. He attended Purdue University to study aerospace engineering before joining the Navy as a fighter pilot during Korea War – flying 78 combat missions! Following this, Armstrong transitioned into test pilot work, flying over 200 different types of aircraft including an X-15 rocket plane capable of reaching over 4000 mph speeds!
Armstrong then joined NASA’s Project Gemini space program and made his inaugural flight as part of Gemini 8 crew on 20 July 1969 – later becoming famous as first human to step onto Moon during Apollo 11 mission.
As soon as the lunar module touched down on the Moon, Armstrong immediately set out exploring its surface. Nineteen minutes later, Aldrin joined him and collected 21.5 kilograms of lunar samples for testing back on Earth. Over two hours were spent together exploring this alien world; Armstrong’s initial steps were livestreamed to TV around the globe.
As soon as the astronauts returned to Earth in their lunar module, they were welcomed by an excited crowd on Earth. President Richard Nixon called to offer his congratulations, before they began packing to return home.
Once back on Earth, they had to pass through customs as with anyone returning from overseas travel. They needed to declare any moon rocks or dust they brought back with them from the Moon, as well as any water they brought with them from its surface.
Armstrong continued his aerospace career after returning home, becoming a professor of aeronautical engineering at the University of Cincinnati in the US and serving as chairman and director for several companies such as Computing Technologies for Aviation (CTFA) and AIL Systems (later EDO Corporation). Armstrong died at age 82.