Forty years ago today, on July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first men to land on the moon. This photograph shows the Apollo 11 crew–Aldrin (left), Armstrong (center), and Michael Collins (right)–relaxing during training.
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The Apollo 11 rocket launches on July 16, 1969.
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The lunar module, housing two moon-bound astronauts (Aldrin and Armstrong), undocks from the command module.
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Buzz Aldrin piloted the lunar module.
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NASA flight controllers watch their computer terminals as the lunar module descends.
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Neil Armstrong stands on the moon as part of the first EVA (extravehicular activity) of the lunar mission.
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Buzz Aldrin oversees a lunar wind experiment.
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Aldrin stands next to the U.S. flag.
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Buzz Aldrin
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Neil Armstrong poses in the lunar module after his historic moonwalk.
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The returning crew took this photograph of Earth.
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NASA mission control celebrates after the Apollo 11 crew splashes down in the Pacific Ocean.
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President Nixon watches as the Apollo 11 astronauts are recovered from their splashdown point.
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Apollo 11 astronauts, still in their quarantine van, are greeted by their wives upon arrival at Ellington Air Force Base.
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Neil Armstrong (center), Michael Collins (left), and Buzz Aldrin (right) address a joint session of Congress on September 16, 1969.
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