Neil Armstrong. The first man on the moon

For the entire history of mankind earthmen have stepped on the surface of another astronomical object six times, and each time this object became the only moon of our planet - the Moon.

In 1961, the agency responsible for the civilian space program of the United States (NASA) adopted the Apollo program, which was aimed at carrying out a manned landing on the moon. At that time, the United States could not allow the first person on the Moon to be not an American, but a citizen of some other country. After 8 years, the goal of the program was achieved during the mission Apollo 11 (manned spacecraft series "Apollo") - the landing of astronauts Armstrong and Aldrin. Neil Armstrong was the first to set foot on the lunar surface in the Sea of Tranquility. At that moment he took a step, which was destined to become an outstanding historical event. The very same astronaut forever acquired the honorable title of the first man on the moon. What qualities did this person possess, who became one of the leaders in the study of outer space? Why was Nil Armstrong chosen to carry out such a responsible mission?

Biography of Neil Alden Armstrong

Neil Armstrong was born in 1930, on July 5. His native city is called Wapakoneta (Ohio). In his school years, Neil was an active participant in the youth scout movement of the United States. In this organization, he achieved the highest of all attainable ranks (Eagle Scout). He combined the studies in high school with the classes in the city air school. The first license of the pilot-cadet in young Armstrong appeared earlier than the driver's license. The next place of study was Purdue University, the result of training was acquired in 1955 academic degree of Bachelor of Science associated with aviation technology. The academic degree of master Neil Armstrong was in 1970, after he completed his studies at the University of Southern California.

The first man on the Moon before the beginning of space training served in the naval forces of the United States, was a test pilot, during the Korean War made combat flights on a fighter-bomber. To the flights into space, the Nile began to be prepared in 1958 in a group of pilots who were taught to operate an experimental rocketplane. However, Armstrong completely did not satisfy flights at an altitude below the mark of 50 miles, and he left the project. In 1962, after a competitive selection, he was enrolled in NASA's astronaut team. In March 1966, Armstrong made his first space flight. Then he was appointed commander of the ship Demini-8. "

One of the July days of 1969 was a special date in the biography of the astronaut. July 20 lunar module with two pilots - the commander of the Apollo11 ship Neil Armstrong and crew member Buzz Aldrin - landed on the surface of the Earth's satellite. Armstrong on the moon stayed a little less than a day, out of them outside the landing module - 2 hours and 21 minutes.

After Neil Armstrong left NASA, he taught to students at the University of Cincinnati.

August 25, 2012 the greatest American hero, who made a truly invaluable contribution to the development of space exploration, the first man on the moon, passed away. In the US Navy, there is a tradition of betraying the sea of ashes of honorable veterans. Neil Armstrong was also buried.