Counting Down to Apollo

One American's account of watching humanity reach the Moon

One Small Step
Apollo 11 July 21, 1969

One Small Step

Neil Armstrong descended the ladder of the Eagle at 10:56 PM Eastern and stepped onto the Moon. His first words: "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." Buzz Aldrin followed twenty minutes later. I watched on television, the picture grainy and miraculous, and I kept thinking:…
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Program Alarm 1202
Apollo 11 July 20, 1969

Program Alarm 1202

Partway through the powered descent, a guidance computer alarm called 1202 appeared. The whole world held its breath. A 24-year-old named Jack Garman said "go."
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The Eagle Has Landed
Apollo 11 July 20, 1969

The Eagle Has Landed

Sunday, July 20th, 1969. At 4:17 PM Eastern time, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed the Lunar Module Eagle in the Sea of Tranquility. Armstrong said: "Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed." I was in my living room. I am not ashamed to say I could not speak…
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Apollo 11 July 18, 1969

Two Days Out

Apollo 11 is two days out from the Moon. Armstrong, Aldrin, and Collins are coasting through space at about 2,000 miles per hour now, slowing as Earth's gravity pulls them back.
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Launch Day
Apollo 11 July 16, 1969

Launch Day

This morning the Saturn V carrying Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins lifted off from Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center. The engine ignited at 9:32 AM. They are going to the Moon. I watched with my family and none of us spoke when the rocket rose. There are…
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