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Neil Armstrong

First Moonwalker and American astronaut

Neil Armstrong

Neil Armstrong, an American astronaut, was the first person to walk on the Moon in 1969. He was also a naval aviator, test pilot, and university professor. Armstrong was a key figure in the U.S. space program, participating in missions such as Gemini 8 and commanding Apollo 11. His famous words upon stepping onto the lunar surface were broadcast worldwide. Armstrong received several prestigious awards for his contributions to space exploration.

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Timeline

Birth of Neil Armstrong

Neil Armstrong is born on August 5, 1930.

First Plane Ride of Neil Armstrong

In 1936, Neil Armstrong takes his first plane ride.

Neil Armstrong's First Flight

Neil Armstrong's first flight is documented.

Neil Armstrong Starts College at Purdue University

In 1947, Neil Armstrong begins his college education at Purdue University.

Neil Armstrong Joins NACA

In 1955, Neil Armstrong joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA).

Boeing B-29 Superfortress Incident

Armstrong experienced his first flight incident at Edwards when the number-four engine of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress he was in stopped working and the propeller began spinning uncontrollably. Despite the engine failure, Armstrong and the pilot successfully launched the Skyrocket payload and landed safely.

First Flight in Rocket-Powered Aircraft

Armstrong had his first flight in a rocket-powered aircraft, the Bell X-1B, reaching an altitude of 11.4 miles. However, the nose landing gear failed upon landing, a recurring issue with the Bell X-1B.

Neil Armstrong Assigned to Gemini 8

In 1962, Neil Armstrong was assigned to the Gemini 8 mission.

X-15 Flight Incident

During his sixth X-15 flight, Armstrong tested the MH-96 control system and flew to a height of over 207,000 feet. He had to demonstrate the aircraft's g-limiting performance during descent, resulting in a longer than expected flight.

Nellis Affair Incident

Armstrong misjudged his altitude during an inspection flight in an F-104, causing the landing gear to retract upon touchdown. He managed to abort the landing and make a successful no-radio approach at Nellis Air Force Base, albeit with some damage to the aircraft.

Armstrong applies to become an astronaut for Project Gemini

In June 1962, Armstrong applied to become an astronaut for Project Gemini after attending a space exploration conference at the Seattle World's Fair.

Gemini VIII Space Mission

On March 16, 1966, Neil Armstrong flew his first space mission as commander of Gemini VIII with David Scott. The mission included a successful docking with an Agena target spacecraft, but encountered issues during orbit, leading to an emergency landing in the Pacific Ocean.

United Nations Outer Space Treaty Signing

Armstrong was in Washington, D.C. with other astronauts for the signing of the United Nations Outer Space Treaty. They learned of the deaths of Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee in the Apollo 1 fire.

Meeting with Slayton and Apollo 1 Investigation Report

Armstrong and other astronauts gathered for a meeting with Slayton on the same day the Apollo 1 investigation released its final report. Slayton announced that the crew for the first lunar missions would be from the group present.

Lunar Landing Research Vehicle Accident

Armstrong's controls started to degrade during a training session with the Lunar Landing Research Vehicle. He ejected safely before the vehicle crashed, and his only injury was from biting his tongue.

Neil Armstrong's Second Flight

On January 1, 1969, Neil Armstrong embarked on his second flight, marking another milestone in his illustrious career as an astronaut. This flight contributed to his experience and expertise in space exploration.

Assignment of Apollo 11 Crew

The crew of Apollo 11 was officially assigned with Armstrong, Collins, and Aldrin as the prime crew, and Lovell, Anders, and Fred Haise as the backup crew.

Neil Armstrong's Lunar Landing Research Vehicle Incident

On May 6, 1968, Neil Armstrong survived a near-fatal accident while conducting a test flight of the Lunar Landing Research Vehicle. Despite the crash, Armstrong continued his training and eventually commanded the Apollo 11 mission to the moon.

Neil Armstrong Commands Apollo 11

On July 16, 1969, Neil Armstrong led the Apollo 11 mission, the first manned lunar landing mission, from Kennedy Space Center.

Apollo 11 Moon Landing

On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong, along with Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin, completed the first Moon landing. Armstrong, as the commander of Apollo 11, piloted the lunar module to a safe landing on the Moon's surface and became the first human to step foot on the Moon, delivering his iconic statement.

Giant Leap Tour

After being released from quarantine, the Apollo 11 crew embarked on a 38-day tour across the United States and around the world, starting with ticker-tape parades in New York and Chicago with an estimated six million attendees. An official state dinner was held in Los Angeles to celebrate the flight.

Death of Neil Armstrong

Neil Armstrong passed away at the age of 82 due to complications resulting from coronary bypass surgery.

Armstrong's Visit to the Soviet Union

In May 1970, Neil Armstrong traveled to the Soviet Union to present a talk at a space research conference. He met Premier Alexei Kosygin, visited the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, and saw the supersonic Tupolev Tu-144.

Neil Armstrong's Resignation from NASA

In 1971, Neil Armstrong resigned from NASA, marking the end of his career as an astronaut.

Neil Armstrong Inducted

In 1976, Neil Armstrong was inducted into a prestigious group or hall of fame. He was recognized for his significant contributions to space exploration.

Accident with Wedding Ring

While working on his farm, Neil Armstrong caught his wedding ring in the wheel of a grain truck, tearing the tip off his left ring finger. He managed to have the severed tip reattached at a nearby hospital.

Neil Armstrong became a college professor

Transitioned into a career as a college professor and dedicated his time to teaching until 1979.

North Pole Expedition

In 1985, Neil Armstrong joined a group of explorers on a trip to the North Pole organized by Mike Dunn. Armstrong, curious to see the Pole from the ground after viewing it from the Moon, kept the expedition private.

Investigation of the Challenger Space Mission

Neil Armstrong assisted in the investigation of the Challenger space mission that tragically ended in disaster when the spacecraft exploded after launch, resulting in the loss of its crew.

Marriage to Carol Held Knight

Neil Armstrong married Carol Held Knight in Ohio, after meeting her at a golf tournament in 1992. They had a second ceremony at San Ysidro Ranch in California and lived in Indian Hill, Ohio.

Armstrong's Views on Human Mission to Mars

In 2005, Neil Armstrong expressed that a human mission to Mars would be easier than the lunar challenge of the 1960s.

Neil Armstrong's TV Interview on 60 Minutes

In 2006, Neil Armstrong broke his years of privacy by giving a TV interview on 60 Minutes, providing insights into his life and experiences.

Congressional Gold Medal

Neil Armstrong was honored with the Congressional Gold Medal in 2009 for his outstanding contributions to the field of aerospace and his inspirational role in the space program.

Armstrong Offers to Command Mission to Mars

On November 18, 2010, aged 80, Neil Armstrong expressed willingness to command a mission to Mars during a speech in the Hague, Netherlands.

Death of Neil Armstrong

Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the moon, passed away on August 25, 2012.

Naming of the first Armstrong-class vessel

The U.S. Navy named the first Armstrong-class vessel RV Neil Armstrong in honor of Neil Armstrong. It is a modern oceanographic research platform supporting various academic activities.

Armstrong Ranked as Top Hero of Aviation

In 2013, Neil Armstrong was ranked number one on Flying magazine's list of 51 Heroes of Aviation.

Delivery of the first Armstrong-class vessel

The first Armstrong-class vessel RV Neil Armstrong was delivered to the U.S. Navy. It serves as an oceanographic research platform for academic groups.

Famous Quote by Neil Armstrong

On January 7, 2016, the iconic quote 'This is one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind' was attributed to Neil Armstrong, symbolizing the significance of the Apollo 11 moon landing.

Auction of Armstrong's memorabilia

Armstrong's sons put his collection of memorabilia up for sale in July 2018. The auctions held in November 2018 realized significant sales, totaling $5,276,320. The sales continued to increase, reaching $16.7 million by July 2019.

Medical malpractice suit details revealed

After the 50th anniversary of the Moon landing, The New York Times reported on a medical malpractice suit filed by Neil Armstrong's family against Mercy Health–Fairfield Hospital. The suit highlighted errors in his treatment after bypass surgery.

End of the Timeline
Neil Armstrong

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