TIM MAGUIRE
Armstrong became the first person to step onto the lunar surface.
On this day in 1969, Apollo 11 astronauts Commander Neil Armstrong and
lunar Module pilot Edwin E. “Buzz” Aldrin, Jr. became the first men to walk
on the moon.
First footprint on the Moon (left) was that of astronaut Neil
Armstrong (right).
Astronaut Buzz Aldrin Jr. poses for a photograph beside the U.S. flag.
(Neil Armstrong/NASA via AP)
ROSS SIMPSON
On this day in 1969, Apollo 11 blasted off from Cape Kennedy, FL,
and began the first manned mission to land on the moon.
Nasa astronauts from left: Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin.
DAVID MELENDY
On this day in 1970, Apollo 13 returned to Earth safely after an on-
board accident with an oxygen tank.
The Apollo 13 crew following recovery.
SANDY KOZEL
On this day in 1970, an oxygen tank exploded on Apollo 13, which
prevented the planned moon landing.
Artists painting showing the explosion on board Apollo 13.
TIM MAGUIRE
On this day in 1970, Apollo 13 blasted off on a mission to the moon
that was disrupted when an explosion crippled the spacecraft. The
three astronauts onboard consisted of James A. Lovell, Jr., John L. Swigert, Jr., and Fred W. Haise, Jr. All three managed to return
safely to Earth on April 17, six days after launch.
The crew of the Apollo 13 mission step aboard the U.S.S. Iwo Jima,
prime recovery ship for the mission, following splashdown and
recovery operations in the South Pacific. From left: astronauts Fred.
W. Haise, Jr., lunar module pilot; James A. Lovell Jr., commander;
and John L. Swigert Jr., command module pilot.
