Apollo 11 Moon Rock

Perhaps the most memorable moment in televised history, on July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first person to ever walk upon the moon. His famous first words on the lunar surface were, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” The mission responsible for his arrival was the Apollo 11, which launched from Earth on July 16 and landed on the region of the moon known as the Sea of Tranquility. The Apollo 11 was also manned by Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, Jr., who joined Armstrong on the surface of the moon about 19 minutes after his initial steps, and Michael Collins, who remained in lunar orbit aboard the command and service module. In the more than two hour period they spent upon the moon’s surface, Armstrong and Aldrin set up various instruments, took photographs, and collected lunar rock and soil samples collectively weighing 21.7 kilograms. The crew of the Apollo 11 returned safely to Earth on July 24, landing in the Pacific Ocean.


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