Those old enough to have been alive when Neil Armstrong landed a NASA spacecraft on the surface of the moon will never forget that day. Especially if, like millions around the world, they witnessed it in real time on their televisions! The entire mission to the moon was covered extensively on TV and the actual first steps on the moon have become moments in history for all time. Armstrong, was born in Wapakoneta, Ohio, on August 5, 1930. After serving as a naval aviator from 1949 to 1952, Armstrong joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) in 1955. His first assignment was with the NACA Lewis Research Center (now NASA Glenn) in Cleveland. Over the next 17 years, he was an engineer, test pilot, astronaut and administrator for NACA and its successor agency, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Those old enough to have been alive when Neil Armstrong landed a NASA spacecraft on the surface of the moon will never forget that day. Especially if, like millions around the world, they witnessed it in real time on their televisions! The entire mission to the moon was covered extensively on TV and the actual first steps on the moon have become moments in history for all time.
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Armstrong, was born in Wapakoneta, Ohio, on August 5, 1930. After serving as a naval aviator from 1949 to 1952, Armstrong joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) in 1955. His first assignment was with the NACA Lewis Research Center (now NASA Glenn) in Cleveland. Over the next 17 years, he was an engineer, test pilot, astronaut and administrator for NACA and its successor agency, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
As a research pilot at NASA's Flight Research Center, Edwards, Calif., he was a project pilot on many pioneering high speed aircraft, including the well known, 4000-mph X-15. He has flown over 200 different models of aircraft, including jets, rockets, helicopters and gliders.
Armstrong transferred to astronaut status in 1962. He was assigned as command pilot for the Gemini 8 mission. Gemini 8 was launched on March 16, 1966, and Armstrong performed the first successful docking of two vehicles in space.
As spacecraft commander for Apollo 11, the first manned lunar landing mission, Armstrong gained the distinction of being the first man to land a craft on the moon and first to step on its surface.
Armstrong subsequently held the position of Deputy Associate Administrator for Aeronautics, NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C. In this position, he was responsible for the coordination and management of overall NASA research and technology work related to aeronautics.
Photo from NASA courtesy of Space.com.
Read more at NASA.
