Armstrong and Aldrin departed their lunar module (LM) from the command/service module (CSM), then used explosive charges to separate it from both. Finally, using a guillotine, they severed an umbilical connecting their LM to an instrument unit and detach it completely from it.
The Spacecraft
Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin aboard Apollo 11, aboard their Saturn V rocket, were propelled into space via its S-IVB stage burning for 756.3 seconds at two hours 44 minutes into their flight to establish translunar orbit and establish initial lunar orbit respectively.
Armstrong then took semi-manual control of the lunar module as it descended, steering around a boulder field and smaller crater later dubbed Little West. Although computer analysis indicated only 5 percent of descent fuel remained, Armstrong pressed on, landing safely in the Sea of Tranquility with 20 seconds remaining in his tank.
Once on the lunar surface, Armstrong and Aldrin conducted numerous scientific experiments that would enable them to measure moonquakes as well as distance to us using laser reflectors from Earth. They took rock samples for laboratory analysis as well as landscape photographs. Photographing landscape features, taking posing pictures with American flag, taking soil samples for testing purposes as well as receiving live messages from President Richard Nixon were among their many tasks during their mission.
The Mission
On July 18th, Armstrong and Aldrin embarked upon their mission. Through Columbia’s interconnecting tunnel they boarded their lunar module known as Eagle, powered down towards the Moon, deployed their Early Apollo Scientific Experiments Package on landing, collected samples from its surface, and reported back.
The astronauts encountered several problems during their landing sequence: disconcerting computer alarms and navigation errors which forced them to take semi-manual control of Eagle in order to avoid an area known as West Crater with boulder fields. But with seconds remaining in fuel supply remaining for Eagle, Houston gave them approval to continue.
At the landing site, three-foot-long probes extending from the lander’s footpads touched down gently, the descent engine shut off, and LM settled onto the lunar surface. Millions watched this historic event unfold live as Walter Cronkite announced to Mission Control “Man has landed on the Moon!” Ultimately, Apollo 11 fulfilled President John F. Kennedy’s objective of showing America’s technological superiority over Russia during the Space Race.
The Crew
Apollo 11 astronauts only had six months to form an effective team and prepare for humankind’s greatest space accomplishment. Training demands left little time for bonding between members of their crew; nonetheless, during their mission they established close ties and formed close friendships among themselves.
Collins piloted Columbia in lunar orbit while Armstrong and Aldrin descended to the moon’s surface to conduct one moonwalk each. They deployed science experiments, photographed their surroundings, displayed an American flag for display purposes, read an inscription plaque inscribed with an American message, collected rock samples to bring back home, deployed science engineering experiments as part of this journey and collected rocks samples for later return.
After returning to their LM, Armstrong and Aldrin fired their lunar module’s reaction control system engines (RCS) engines for an elliptical landing trajectory using biological isolation garments in case they carried back any harmful microbes from the Moon. Following a 195-hour mission, Apollo 11 splashed down in the Pacific Ocean 13 miles from USS Hornet recovery ship; six astronauts on that voyage later flew Skylab missions with Skylab Commander Commander Bill Anders as commander while two led orbital Space Shuttle missions in their future careers.
The Landing
President John F. Kennedy had set a goal for astronauts to land safely on the Moon by the end of 1969 and return safely back to Earth. Armstrong and Aldrin made history when they emerged from Eagle on to its surface on July 21, 1969, watched by over 500 million viewers around the globe – Armstrong made his famous statement: “That is one small step for man, but one giant leap for mankind!” As Armstrong planted his foot onto its surface. “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind!” 530 million viewers witnessed their landing! 530 million watched live telecast coverage as this historic event unfolded 530 million viewers around the globe watched it on television; Armstrong himself declared: “One small step for [a] man but one giant leap for mankind!” as Armstrong placed one foot onto its surface – “that one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind!” 530 million viewers tuned in for television coverage during broadcast coverage that year! As Armstrong placed one foot on its surface one million people watched his monumental one small step for mankind,” stated Armstrong upon landing! 530 million watched that broadcast 530 million people saw his footstep on to its surface! 530 million tuned in television coverage as “One small step for Man kind”, one small step for man but “one giant leap for mankind!” as soon after landing as soon as Armstrong placed one foot firmly planted it upon its surface! 530 million tuned in! declared Armstrong when planting his foot upon its surface: one small step for man but that momentous event saw Armstrong declared as soon after placing one small step one huge leap for mankind! as announced Armstrong. 530 Million television viewers saw his triumphant words once more said his big momentous steps proclaimed one “small step stated – one big leap for mankind!” declared Armstrong declared one giant leap! He stated “small step for mankind one small leap! One small leap, One giant leap for mankind! As Armstrong planted foot on Moon as declared it could. he stated “One “one………..one leap… as one giant leap for humanity stepped upon it all to havened and declared him self he put one giant leap from man stepped upon landing! One small Step, but one small leap for mankind! declared. – “One giant leap “One small but one giant leap! claimed himself when landing, ” That one small step… one”…. one step… [but this time.” he declared on Apollo 11. o… One… one small Step at least!” said…….” that one great leap! and made! said Armstrong as soon…….!” on his foot upon it….” and said said to begin!….” declared him on this huge leap for mankind….. one giant leap… said.” announced….”. One Giant leap…………………” said him! as promised him over, one Giant leap for mankind one giant leap! [the Moon. One large leap….. “One giant leap for mankind… And one… “That one step one giant step one giant leap…..! declared as He planted foot.. “One giant leap (he) as said as Armstrong when planted his foot……… “One… but only then made by one step and said………..”.. “One tiny leap….. “Now………”He started.] Armstrong declared…….”. As stated him by [one.] …. “…one.].” and one…!” said Armstrong before then on… (from now)!).” as it…….!…….”..” said that one giant leap……..”…..!” for mankind” claimed; one giant leap………………………. but one Giant
The astronauts collected lunar rocks and soil samples from Apollo 17 before conducting several experiments in the Lunar Module before returning to Columbia for reentry into Earth’s atmosphere and splashing down in the Pacific Ocean around 900 miles southwest of Hawaii on July 24.
On their return journey home, the crew reconnected the LM with the command module (CSM), but 44 hours into their mission it separated and deployed its parachute. Mission Control instructed it to switch into an aft omni orientation so as to slow it for landing and Armstrong verified this command.