A man on the moon
A photographic look at Neil Armstrong's role in the 1969 lunar landing mission
In this Sept. 17, 1962 file photo, Neil Armstrong, one of the nine astronauts, is shown as he was introduced to the press, along with the other astronauts in Houston.Anonymous/The Associated Press
In this March 9, 1966 file photo, astronaut Neil Armstrong is seated during a suiting up exercise Cape Kennedy, Fla., in preparation for the Gemini 8 flight.The Associated Press
An undated photo provided by NASA shows Neil Armstrong. The family of Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, says he has died at age 82. A statement from the family says he died following complications resulting from cardiovascular procedures.The Associated Press
The Apollo 11 crew conducting a crew compartment fit and functional check, of the equipment and storage locations, in their command module June 10, 1969. Peering from the hatch are from left, Neil Armstrong, commander; Michael Collins, command module pilot; and Buzz Aldrin, lunar module pilot. Armstrong and Aldrin later conducted a similar check aboard the lunar module, which carried them down to the lunar surface on July 20, 1969.
In this July 20, 1969 photo provided by NASA and taken by Lt. Michael Collins through the window of the lunar command module, the Apollo 11 lunar module decends to the surface of the moon carrying astronauts Neil Armstong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin. Monday, July 20, 2009 is the 40th anniversary of Armstrong’s and Aldrin’s historic first steps on the moon.NASA/The Associated Press
In this July 20, 1969 file photo, Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin E. "Buzz" Aldrin, the first men to land on the moon, plant the U.S. flag on the lunar surface.Anonymous/The Associated Press
Overall view of the Mission Operations Control Room in the Mission Control Center, bldg 30, during the lunar surface extravehicular activity (EVA) of Apollo 11 Astronauts Neil A. Armstrong and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr.
In this July 20, 1969 file photo, Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong, Apollo 11 commander, is seen inside the Lunar Module while the it rested on the lunar surface. Astronauts Armstrong and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr., lunar module Pilot, had already completed their extravehicular activity when this picture was taken.Anonymous/The Associated Press
A footprint left by one of the astronauts of the Apollo 11 mission shows in the soft, powder surface of the moon on July 20, 1969. Commander Neil A. Armstrong and Air Force Col. Edwin E. "Buzz" Aldrin Jr. became the first men to walk on the moon after blastoff from Cape Kennedy, Fla., on July 16, 1969.Anonymous/The Associated Press
Apollo 11 Recovery Area - 07/24/1969 - Pararescueman Lt. Clancy Hatleberg closes the Apollo 11 spacecraft hatch as astronauts Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Buzz Aldrin, Jr., await helicopter pickup from their life raft July 24, 1969. They splashed down at 12:50 pm EDT 900 miles southwest of Hawaii after the successful lunar landing mission.
Apollo XI Astronauts Neil Armstrong (L), Michael Collins (C), and Buzz Aldrin laugh with President Richard Nixon aboard the USS Hornet, in this July 24, 1969 handout photo courtesy of the Richard Nixon Foundation. The President was on hand to greet the astronauts after their splashdown in the Pacific.Richard Nixon Foundation/Reuters
New York City Welcomes the Apollo 11 Astronauts - 08/13/1969 - New York City welcomes the three Apollo 11 astronauts, Neil A. Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Buzz Aldrin, Jr., in a parade termed at the time as the largest in the city's history Aug. 13, 1969.
Newsmen talked with the wife and sons of Apollo 11 astronaut Neil A. Armstrong after the successful launch of Apollo 11 on its trajectory to the moon.
In this May 12 ,2012 file photo, former astronaut Neil Armstrong testifies before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing on NASA's proposed budget and the future of the manned space flight program on Capitol Hill in Washington.Cliff Owen/The Associated Press
In this June 1, 2012, Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, attends a graveside service for Wilbur Wright on the 100th anniversary of the burial of the powered flight pioneer in Dayton, Ohio.The Dayton Daily News/Chris Stewart/The Associated Press