Bengaluru: Today marks the 55th anniversary of a monumental event in human history. On July 21, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin became the first humans to walk on the Moon at Tranquility Base, while their crewmate Michael Collins orbited above in the Columbia command module. This historic feat is well-documented, but here are some lesser-known facts about the Apollo 11 mission.
The Moon Has a Smell
Upon landing, Armstrong described the Moon's surface and the texture of the soil (regolith). The sticky, powdery regolith clung to their suits, and once inside the lunar module, they realized it had a distinct smell—like the air after fireworks or “wet ashes.” Other astronauts have reported that outer space smells like metallic and sweet gunpowder, burning metal, or burnt almond cookies. These smells fade once the samples and suits are exposed to air and moisture on Earth.
Wright Brothers’ Plane Flew to the Moon
In 1903, the Wright Brothers achieved flight, paving the way for space exploration. Neil Armstrong carried pieces of the Wright Flyer in his personal kit during his historic journey. These artifacts are now displayed in museums.
Simulated Lunar Craters on Earth
NASA and the US Geological Survey created 143 craters at Cinder Lake, Arizona, to simulate the lunar landscape for astronaut training. This area, resembling the Moon's surface, was used to test equipment and astronaut capabilities. Though the craters have eroded, the site remains a popular tourist destination.
Armstrong’s Famous Quote
When Armstrong stepped onto the Moon, he said, “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” Although many people didn’t hear the “a” in recordings, analyses confirm it was there. Armstrong also famously said, “The Eagle has wings!” when the lunar module successfully separated from the command module.
View of Apollo 11 lunar module Eagle as it returned from the surface of the moon to dock with the command module Columbia | Photo: Wikimedia Commons
The Moon Landing Was Almost Aborted
The planned landing site was too rocky, so Armstrong and Aldrin had to manually navigate to a safer spot with only 25 seconds of fuel left. Despite a low fuel warning caused by fuel sloshing, they landed safely. Armstrong's heart rate reportedly hit 150 beats per minute during the descent.
Moon Germs and Quarantine
After splashing down, the astronauts donned biological isolation garments and were scrubbed with antiseptics. They were quarantined for over 60 hours to ensure they didn’t bring unknown “Moon germs” back to Earth. The Mobile Quarantine Facility housed the astronauts, a doctor, and a technician during their transport to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Then President Richard M. Nixon greets the 3 astronauts being transported in the Mobile Quarantine Facility (MQF) | Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Human Waste on the Moon
Astronauts have left 96 bags of human waste on the Moon, along with other items like photos and recordings. These bags, left to reduce the spacecraft's weight, may become subjects of study in the future to check if microbes have persisted.
Soviet Robot Crash
During the Apollo 11 mission, the Soviet Union's Luna 15 mission was also orbiting the Moon. The lander crashed just hours before the Apollo 11 astronauts left the lunar surface.
Buzz Aldrin’s Secret Communion
Buzz Aldrin, a Presbyterian elder, performed a Christian communion on the Moon in secret due to a previous lawsuit against the US government. The Apollo 8 crew’s reading from Genesis had led to a lawsuit by American Atheists, influencing Aldrin to keep his ceremony private.
The Missing Flag
Aldrin reported seeing the American flag fall over as they took off from the Moon. The flag, bought from a convenience store, wasn’t expected to survive the harsh conditions. Images from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter confirm the flag is no longer visible, though Apollo 12’s flag is still standing.
These fun facts offer a glimpse into the extraordinary details and challenges of the first Moon landing, highlighting the ingenuity and bravery of the Apollo 11 crew.
Tags: Science, Apollo 11 Facts, Moon Landing Anniversary, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, NASA Apollo Missions, Lunar Exploration History,
Tags: Science, Apollo 11 Facts, Moon Landing Anniversary, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, NASA Apollo Missions, Lunar Exploration History,