Neil Armstrong Biography

Birth of Neil Armstrong

Reports to Naval Air Station Pensacola for flight training, this lasts almost 18 months, during which time he qualified for carrier landing aboard the USS Cabot and USS Wright

Receives the Air Medal for 20 combat missions, a Gold Star for the next 20, and the Korean Service Medal and Engagement Star

Armstrong leave the navy and becomes a Lieutenant, Junior Grade in the United States Naval Reserve

Armstrong leave the navy and becomes a Lieutenant, Junior Grade in the United States Naval Reserve

Selected for the US Air Forces Man In Space Soonest program

Selected for the US Air Forces Man In Space Soonest program

Named as one of six pilot-engineers who would fly the space plane when it got off the design board

Deke Slayton called Armstrong and asks if he was interested in joining the NASA Astronaut Corps as part of what the press dubbed "the New Nine", without hesitation, Armstrong says yes

Deke Slayton called Armstrong and asks if he was interested in joining the NASA Astronaut Corps as part of what the press dubbed "the New Nine", without hesitation, Armstrong says yes

The crew assignments for Gemini 8 were announced with Neil Armstrong as Command Pilot with Pilot David Scott

During Gemini VIII American astronauts Neil A. Armstrong and David Scott perform the first orbital docking

The rendezvous and first ever docking between two spacecraft is successfully completed after 6.5 hours in orbit. The mission launches, the most complex yet, with a rendezvous and docking with the unmanned Agena target vehicle, the second American (and third ever) extra-vehicular activity (EVA) (Armstrong himself dislikes the term "space walk"). During Gemini VIII American astronauts Neil A. Armstrong and David Scott perform the first orbital docking

Is selected to command Apollo 11 after serving as Apollo 8 backup commander.

Commands Apollo 11 as it launches for the Moon.

Commands Apollo 11 as the Saturn V third stage sends the spacecraft toward the Moon.

Armstrong takes over manual control of the LM, finds an area which to him seems safe for a landing and touches down on the moon at 20:17:39 UTC on July 20, 1969

Takes "one small step for man but a giant step for mankind". Neil Armstrong is 1st man on the moon

The Eagle lands on the Sea of Tranquility near the lunar equator

Commands Eagle as it separates from Columbia in lunar orbit before the first crewed Moon landing.

Continues the lunar descent after Mission Control confirms that guidance computer program alarms permit the landing to proceed.

Manually guides Eagle to a safe landing on the Moon.

Commands Eagle during powered descent toward the Sea of Tranquility.

The Eagle lands on the Sea of Tranquility near the lunar equator

Reports that Eagle has landed at Tranquility Base.

"Thats one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind". Once Armstrong and Aldrin were ready to go outside, Eagle is depressurized, the hatch is opened and Armstrong made his way down the ladder first, he places his left foot on the surface at 2:56 UTC July 21, 1969

Returns to Columbia with Aldrin after Eagle rendezvous and docking in lunar orbit.

Commands Eagle's ascent stage as it lifts from the Moon to rejoin Columbia.

Collects lunar rocks and soil for return to Earth during the first Moon landing.

Commands Eagle’s ascent from the Moon and rendezvous with Collins in Columbia.

Steps onto the lunar surface during Apollo 11.

The astronauts return to Earth, welcomed as heroes

Returns safely to Earth after the first Moon landing.

Receives the Congressional Gold Medal with other Apollo 11 astronauts.

Death of Apollo 11 commander Neil Armstrong.