“Smoke and flames signal the opening of a historic journey as the Saturn V clears the launch pad” [NASA, 1969]
12 years had passed during the space race. Each country (particularly Russia and the U.S.) pushed the limits of each other with better designs and accomplishments with their space programs. The U.S. prepared Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong, and Michael Collins to step foot on the Moon’s surface. On July 16th, 1969 NASA launched a Saturn V rocket carrying the Apollo 11 crew into Earth’s orbit to the moon. The landing module landed in the Sea of Tranquility on the Moon.
“Buzz Aldrin climbs down the Eagle's ladder to the surface.” [NASA, 2009]
At 10:56 p.m. is when Neil Armstrong climbed down the ladder to the lunar surface for the first time. While the astronauts were on the lunar surface, they had many lunar walks that lasted for about an hour. Buzz and Neil spent a total of 21 hours and 36 minutes on the lunar surface.
"Footage from the Apollo 11 moonwalk that was partially restored in 2009."[NASA, 2009]
“Apollo 11 Commander Neil Armstrong working at an equipment storage area on the lunar module”[NASA, 1969]
They launched in the Eagle's landing module from the moon to where Collins was stationed on the Columbia (Command Module). They then continued orbit around the moon until they were ready for the re-entry coordinates. When they were inline, they launched from the Moon’s orbit and headed for Earth. The astronauts were caught by Earth’s gravity and continued towards the surface. They landed in the Pacific Ocean and were rescued by the U.S.S. Hornet waiting for them 50 miles away.
Background [NASA, 2017]