The Day We Landed On The Moon

October 31, 2024 | Nikolas C.

The Day We Landed On The Moon


The Final Frontier

In the 1960s, amid the Cold War, the US issued a challenge for both sides that would determine their place in history. Apollo 11 was the fifth crewed Apollo mission, but one that went further than any before. It wasn’t just a textbook entry, though, as the day of the Moon landing would have been very different if not for the many building blocks leading up to it.

The Space Race

In 1957, the Soviet Union put the first artificial satellite in space, called Sputnik 1. This was still a while before the Moon landing, but it triggered the Space Race between the Soviet Union and the United States which would lead to it. However, the US wasn’t always opposed to working with its rival.

Apollo 16, Moon landingNASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, Flickr

It Was Almost A Team Effort

After President Kennedy set the goal of the Moon landing, he initially tried to make it a joint operation. Believe it or not, Kennedy first proposed a team-up to the Premier of the Soviet Union, and later to the United Nations, both of which were declined. Of course, even though it ended up a solely American project, that doesn’t mean all of America was on board.

Apollo 11 roll-outProject Apollo Archive, Flickr

Not Everyone Was Happy

Although the Moon landing was such a historic accomplishment, not everyone supported the project’s development. Many people opposed the operation for several reasons, including viewing it as a poor choice of priorities, even calling it a “moondoggle". Still, this lack of enthusiasm wasn’t due to a lack of trying on JFK’s part.

Apollo 11 pre-flight press conferenceProject Apollo Archive, Flickr

JFK Made An Iconic Speech

To get the public on the side of the project, President Kennedy gave a speech at the Rice University football stadium, which has been widely quoted ever since. With an emphatic delivery, he stated, “We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard”.

President Kennedy at the Joint Session of CongressDefense Visual Information Distribution Service, Getarchive

The Project Name

Every proper program has to have a name, so when the time came for Abe Silverstein—manager of NASA—to come up with one, he decided on Apollo. The Greek god inspired the name, specifically the concept of his chariot riding across the Sun. Of course, all the spacecraft involved would need names as well.

A View of Earth From Apollo 11 (NASA, July 19, 1969)NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, Flickr

The Spacecraft Names

The craft built for the Moon landing consisted of three parts: a command module, a service module, and a lunar module. The command module was called “Columbia,” taken from the name of the spacecraft-launching cannon from Jules Verne’s From the Earth to the Moon. The lunar module was named “Eagle” after the emblem on its exterior.

Apollo 15 Lunar Rover Control PanelProject Apollo Archive, Flickr

Nixon Snuck Something Onto The Plaque

On the ladder of the Eaglea plaque was mounted that read, “Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the Moon July 1969, AD. We came in peace for all mankind”. The “AD” was added as a vague religious reference, as President Nixon’s administration requested that a reference to God be included.

Apollo 11 plaque Project Apollo Archive, Flickr

An American Symbol

A lot of thought went into Apollo 11’s emblem. Through multiple suggestions, the command module pilot—Michael Collins—designed an insignia depicting an eagle on the Moon, carrying an olive branch to symbolize the peaceful US Moon Landing. However, even more important than the Eagle, was deciding where it would land.

Apollo 11 Mission InsigniaDavid, Flickr

The Right Landing Spot

When deciding on the lunar landing spot, many requirements were considered, such as a smooth terrain, a path free of large hills or craters, and good visibility via the sun. Eventually, a spot was chosen and named Tranquility Base, after the lunar plain it resided in, the Sea of Tranquility. Of course, there would be no mission without its crew.

Apollo 11 astronauts during the EVA, just after the phone call from President NixonProject Apollo Archive, Flickr

The Right People

Initially, Apollo 11’s crew consisted of Jim Lovell as the Command Module Pilot, Buzz Aldrin as the Lunar Module Pilot, and Neil Armstrong as Commander. However, through several changes to previous missions, Jim Lovell switched with Apollo 8’s Michael Collins. This is what would become the finalized crew roster, but that almost wasn’t the case.

Apollo 11 astronauts Project Apollo Archive, Flickr

He Was Almost Replaced

The first men on the Moon are well-known, but one of them almost had the opportunity taken away. As Commander, Neil Armstrong was allowed to replace Buzz Aldrin with Jim Lovell, as Aldrin had a reputation for being difficult to work with. Armstrong declined the offer, and Lovell stayed on the backup crew but still ended up making history.

James Lovell in a space suitNASA, Wikimedia Commons

The Backups Would Also Be Historic

Despite being the Commander of Apollo 11’s backup crew, Jim Lovell didn’t just sit on the sidelines. During the Moon landing, he was a Capsule Communicator keeping contact with the astronauts from the Mission Control Center. Later on, he would Command the Apollo 13 mission, and prove integral to solving its near-fatal incident.

Apollo 8 Lovell at Guidance and Navigation stationNASA, Wikimedia Commons

Why The First Man Was Chosen

The decision of who would be first to step on the Moon was given much consideration, and for years, people theorized many reasons behind it. Eventually, it was revealed that Neil Armstrong was chosen as he was the Commander and had a calm and confident demeanor. Of course, not everyone was satisfied with this decision.

Apollo 15 lunar surface activityProject Apollo Archive, Flickr

Buzz Wasn’t Happy

Initially, Buzz Aldrin was under the impression that Neil Armstrong was to be the first man on the Moon because he was a civilian. This concept infuriated Aldrin, who tried to convince other pilots that he should be first until it was explained that Armstrong was chosen because he was the Commander.

Apollo 15 Commander Dave Scott and the LRV at Hadley RilleProject Apollo Archive, FLickr

Front Row Seats

As one of history’s biggest spectacles, the Moon landing deserved a proper degree of spectators. On the day of the Apollo 11 launch, 1 million people were estimated to have gathered in the large surrounding area, watching from the beaches and highways. However, this wasn’t the only moment with an enormous audience.

Apollo 11 spectatorsGeorge C. White, CC0, Wikimedia Commons

A Worldwide Viewership

Being a momentous accomplishment for all humanity, the Moon landing was broadcast live on TV. A global audience of 650 million people tuned in to watch the first lunar steps. Of course, streaming this unprecedented moment carried its own challenges.Saturn V rocketProject Apollo Archive, Flickr

An Unconventional Broadcast

The television used by Mission Control to monitor the Moon landing was not compatible with broadcasting technology, so a solution was devised to allow viewers at home to watch along. Instead, the live feed of the Moon’s surface was displayed on a monitor, and a TV camera was then pointed at the screen.

Crescent Earth as seen by Apollo 15 astronautsProject Apollo Archive, Flickr

They Brought Some Personal Items

Despite the professionalism of the Apollo 11 mission, the crew were still people with their own sentiments. As such, each was permitted to bring a Personal Preference Kit containing personal items they wanted to bring along. For instance, Neil Armstrong brought parts of the Wright Brothers’ Wright Flyer and a diamond-studded astronaut pin.

Apollo 15 distant view of Lunar ModuleProject Apollo Archive, FLickr

It Missed The Target

Whether due to gravity anomalies or its pirouette maneuver, the lunar module unexpectedly began traveling too fast as it attempted to descend from its orbit. As a result, once the Eagle landed, it wound up being miles away from the intended target. However, this wasn’t the only landing difficulty.

Apollo 15 Lunar RoverProject Apollo Archive, Flickr

A Stressful Descent

As the lunar module descended, multiple alarms began to sound from the guidance computer, surprising the crew. Mission Control eventually concluded that it was safe to continue and the Eagle could land, allowing the astronauts inside to take those famous steps.

Footsteps on the moonProject Apollo Archive, Flickr

Aldrin Took Some Private Time

During the time of Apollo 11, NASA was in the middle of a lawsuit in protest of them broadcasting any religious practices in space. Because of this, Buzz Aldrin decided to take communion in private after they landed on the Moon, and avoided mentioning it.

Moon surface form the moduleProject Apollo Archive, Flickr

Difficulties With The Flag

If there was one thing important to Buzz Aldrin, it was getting the raising of the flag right. Unfortunately, the telescoping rod of the flag was more tricky than expected, and they couldn’t drive it as far into the ground as they had hoped. Aside from this difficulty, Neil Armstrong found himself having an easier time.

Apollo 17 Moon landingProject Apollo Archive, Flickr

It Was Easier Than He Thought

Comparatively, Neil Armstrong seemed to have a more pleasant walk, at least in one aspect. According to him, walking around in the Moon’s gravity was effortless, and he would later say that it may have even been easier than the simulations they had practiced with. However, this didn’t stop Armstrong from exerting himself.

Apollo 11 trainingProject Apollo Archive, Flickr

A Code For Armstrong’s Health

Throughout his time on the Moon’s Surface, Neil Armstrong knew they were on a time limit, which pushed him to rush to each task. Mission Control had a code phrase that would tell him to slow down to keep his metabolic rates down. Of course, the Apollo 11 crew weren’t all on the surface.

Apollo 11 training / simulationProject Apollo Archive, Flickr

The Orbit Was Never Lonely

While his two crewmates were on the surface below, pilot Michael Collins remained in the command module, orbiting the Moon. However, he would later state that his day of orbiting was never lonely, and he never considered himself a less important part of the crew.

Apollo 10 missionProject Apollo Archive, Flickr

Total Time On The Moon

While Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong were on the Moon, they filled their time by planting the flag, figuring out how to move around, and collecting soil samples. All in all, the two of them spent a total of 21 hours and 36 minutes on the surface. However, there was always the chance they could have spent a lot longer there.

Apollo 15 Lunar Module FalconProject Apollo Archive, Flickr

In Case Things Went Wrong

Always trying to be prepared, a speech was written in the unlikely event that the two astronauts became stranded on the moon. In this case, President Nixon would have read the speech on air before communications with them were shut down and a clergyman would perform a public ritual similar to burial at sea.

View of Earth from the spaceProject Apollo Archive, Flickr

Aldrin Almost Broke It

Almost catastrophically, Aldrin damaged a circuit breaker that would arm the main engine accidentally as he moved around the cabin. Thankfully, the tip of a felt-tip pen was able to activate it and they were able to begin their ascent. However, this wasn’t the only mistake during the departure.

Neil Armstrong in the Lunar Module simulatorProject Apollo Archive, Flickr

They Knocked Over The Flag

Buzz Aldrin’s desire to get the flag planted right was unfortunately proved fruitless as the Eagle began its ascent. The powerful engine exhaust roared, eventually toppling the flag in time for Aldrin to see it happen. Of course, the flag wasn’t the only thing intentionally left by the astronauts.

US flag on the moonProject Apollo Archive, Flickr

The Astronauts Left Behind A Few Things

The crew of Apollo 11 intentionally left behind several items of significance, including a gold replica of an olive branch, and a disk containing goodwill messages from Presidents Nixon, Johnson, Kennedy, and Eisenhower.

Apollo 11 missionProject Apollo Archive, Flickr

They Honored Previous Astronauts

Along with the previous items, Aldrin and Armstrong left behind a mission patch of the Apollo 1 crew who tragically perished during a command module test. In another commemoration, they left two memorial medals for Soviet cosmonauts—the first man in space, and the Commander of the first spaceflight to carry multiple crew members, respectively.

Apollo 9 missionProject Apollo Archive, Flickr

A Final Soviet Loss

As the crew prepared for the return flight, there was also a probe from the Soviet Union called the Luna 15 getting ready to descend to the Moon. In an attempt to beat the Apollo 11 craft back to Earth, the probe’s mission was hastened, only for it to crash onto the Moon’s surface. However, they weren’t the only ones with complications.

Apollo 12 missionProject Apollo Archive, Flickr

A Last Minute Communications Fix

During the final part of the Apollo 11 mission, as the craft returned to Earth, the tracking station in Guam had a malfunction. A bearing failed, which would have led to a loss of communication if not for some quick thinking. Thankfully, even without time for a repair, the station director’s young son was able to reach inside and grease the bearing.

Apollo 11 mission controlProject Apollo Archive, Flickr

They Crashed The Wrong Way

Upon the Apollo 11 craft’s return, it splashed down in the Pacific Ocean, just like it was supposed to. Unfortunately, even then things didn’t go totally right, as it landed upside down in the water. Fortunately, in under 10 minutes, the astronauts deployed flotation bags that flipped the module back up.

Apollo 11 training / simulationProject Apollo Archive, Flickr

Possible Outer Space Germs

Once NASA arrived to recover the Apollo 11 crew, steps were taken to decontaminate them and their spacecraft, before they were placed in biological isolation garments. All of this was to destroy any pathogens that may have come from outer space, however unlikely that was. However, NASA also went a bit further.

Apollo 11 trainingProject Apollo Archive, Flickr

A Lengthy Quarantine

The Apollo 11 astronauts were placed under a lengthy quarantine, even beyond their initial decontamination. They were brought aboard the USS Hornet, where the Mobile quarantine facility held them for 21 days. Fortunately, they were then given a clean bill of health and able to attend all the celebrations waiting for them.

Apollo 11 crew poses for a photograph during a walk-through egress testProject Apollo Archive, Flickr

The Celebrations

Upon their return, all three astronauts were not only celebrities but seen as American heroes. Two ticker-tape parades were held in New York and Chicago, which they attended, and they also embarked on a worldwide tour to visit 22 countries and meet the world leaders.

New York City welcomes Apollo 11 crewNASA Johnson, Flickr

They Received Awards

Aside from all the public praise and parades, the three Apollo 11 crew members were awarded by the US government. All three were presented with Presidential Medals of Freedom from President Nixon and Vice President Agnew. Of course, the legacy of their lunar visit isn’t only evident on Earth.

Jim Lovell reading a newspaperNASA, Wikimedia Commons

A Lasting Mark

Without the scientific instruments and memorial items left behind, the closest legacy of Apollo 11’s Moon Landing is the very bootprints of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. It’s a special kind of enduring legacy, as the lack of atmosphere on the Moon means they most likely won’t go away any time soon.

Apollo 11 astronauts in front of lunar module mockupProject Apollo Archive, Flickr


Armstrong’s Famous Quote

In a seemingly small change, Neil Armstrong’s words as he took the first steps on the moon may have been obscured by the transmission or his accent. According to him, in his quote, “That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” he had actually said “a man”. 

Despite the mix-up, we all remember his famous declaration—but nobody remembers the ridiculous statement he made next. His next words, "The surface looks fine and powdery. I can pick it up loosely with my toe" don't have quite the same poetic quality, but considering no one had felt the surface of the moon before, the description itself is pretty important. 

Earthrise from Apollo 11Project Apollo Archive, Flickr


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