Introduction

One beautiful clear night, you see the moon shining brightly. You wonder how a man could get to it. You wonder how a man could go in space outside a space shuttle in the first place. Well, one great man proved that you could do that and many other spectacular things. That man was Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin.

Early Life

Edwin Eugene Aldrin, Jr. was born on January 20, 1930 in Montclair, New Jersey. Aldrin got his nickname, "Buzz," during his childhood. His baby sister tried to call him brother, only it always came out buzzer. From that day on, Edwin was replaced with "Buzz." In 1951, Aldrin graduated from the U.S. Military Academy and became an Air Force officer. In 1952, Aldrin completed pilot training. Later in 1952, he flew 62 combat missions in the Korean War.

Beginning As An Astronaut

In 1963, Aldrin received a doctor’s degree in astronautics (the construction and operation of vehicles for space travel) from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Aldrin became an astronaut later that year. Then, in 1966, Aldrin was chosen to pilot the spacecraft Gemini 12. This would be his very first space flight. He was chosen because of his high skill as a pilot and his experience in the Korean War. During the Gemini 12 Mission, Aldrin "walked" in apace for five and a half hours when he was either partially or completely outside the spacecraft. That’s the record he holds for the longest space walk. While in space for those five and a half hours, Aldrin conducted experiments to test whether astronauts could make mechanical repairs on a space shuttle, a space station, or a satellite in space. Aldrin conducted all the experiments successfully.

Preparing For Flight

That successful flight was nothing compared to the flight he was chosen for next. "Buzz" Aldrin was going to be going on the first trip to the moon. He was chosen for his experience on Gemini 12. He really wanted to be the first man on the moon, but Neil Armstrong was chosen instead of him. Nevertheless, Aldrin was still on the mission and would be the second man on the moon. Many people may not know that there was a third man on this mission. This man was Michael Collins. He wouldn’t go on the moon, but he would stay on the main ship, the Columbia, while Aldrin and Armstrong went down to the moon on the mini ship, the Eagle, that was stored in the Columbia.

Moon Launch

On July 16, 1969, the Columbia was launched with Aldrin, Armstrong, and Collins inside. Aldrin and Armstrong landed on the moon on July 20, 1969. On the moon, Armstrong made his famous first step with Aldrin following nineteen minutes later. They took photographs and made movies of the moon for the scientists on Earth. They also collected rocks and moon soil. The two astronauts spent two and a half hours on the moon’s surface. Then, the Columbia crew returned home as heroes.

Later Life

"Buzz" Aldrin retired from NASA in 1971. He then retired form the Air Force in 1971. We should honor and remember Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, who is now 71 years old, not only as the second man in space, but as an American hero.