Counting Down to Apollo

One American's account of watching humanity reach the Moon

Tag: armstrong

Reflections April 1, 1973

Eleven Years of Clippings

I went through my clipping folder last weekend. Seventeen shoeboxes. Twelve years of newspaper articles, radio transcripts, magazine features, mission summaries. Betty watched me spread them across the living room floor and said, "I told you so." She was right. I have a problem. It's a wonderful problem to have.
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Twelve Men
Apollo 17 December 19, 1972

Twelve Men

Apollo 17 splashed down today. The Apollo program is over. Twelve men walked on the Moon between July 1969 and December 1972. I've written all their names. I've written what each mission meant. I don't know what to write now. I just want to say the twelve names.
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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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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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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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April 5, 1969

Who Will Land on the Moon?

NASA announced the Apollo 11 crew: Neil Armstrong commanding, Buzz Aldrin on the lunar module, Mike Collins in the command module. These three will attempt the landing.
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