Main image via NASA + Al Jazeera
One small step for man and one giant leap for mankind was not achieved alone and sadly, one of the three astronauts who made the landing on the moon possible, has passed away.
Michael Collins, the command module pilot of Apollo 11, who helped to take man to the moon, had sadly passed away at the age of 90.
Image via NASA
Often known as the “forgotten” astronaut, Michael remained in orbit to pilot the spacecraft while his crewmates Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin took mankind’s first steps on the lunar surface on 20th July 1969.
The astronaut remained alone in the command module for over 21 hours until his two crewmates returned to the lunar module.
Michael’s family took to social media to share that the astronaut had passed away on 28th April “after a valiant battle with cancer”.
“Please join us in fondly remembering his sharp wit, his quiet sense of purpose, and his wise perspective, which he gained both from looking back at Earth from the vantage of space and gazing across calm waters from the deck of his fishing boat,” the statement shared.
“As the command module pilot on NASA’s Apollo 11 mission, Mike circled the moon while Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin touched down at Tranquility Base on July 20,1969. When his two crewmates returned from the surface, he was in the unique position to capture a photo of all of humanity - his fellow astronauts on board the lunar module and everyone else on Earth off in the distance.”
NASA Administrator Steve Jurczyk also released a statement on the late astronaut’s passing saying:
“Today the nation lost a true pioneer and lifelong advocate for exploration in astronaut Michael Collins. As pilot of the Apollo 11 command module – some called him ‘the loneliest man in history’ – while his colleagues walked on the Moon for the first time, he helped our nation achieve a defining milestone. He also distinguished himself in the Gemini Program and as an Air Force pilot.
Michael remained a tireless promoter of space. ‘Exploration is not a choice, really, it’s an imperative,’ he said. Intensely thoughtful about his experience in orbit, he added, ‘What would be worth recording is what kind of civilization we Earthlings created and whether or not we ventured out into other parts of the galaxy.’”
Of his time spent orbiting the moon alone, Michael shared that “The thing I remember most is the view of planet Earth from a great distance. Tiny. Very shiny. Blue and white. Bright. Beautiful. Serene and fragile.”
With Michael’s passing, the only surviving member of the Apollo 11 is Buzz Aldrin who took to social media to pay his respect to his late crewmate saying:
“Dear Mike, Wherever you have been or will be, you will always have the Fire to Carry us deftly to new heights and to the future. We will miss you. May you Res in Peace.”
Rest in peace Astronaut Michael Collins. Gone but never forgotten.
Our thoughts are with his lived ones during this difficult time.
Info via UNILAD + NASA