Neil Armstrong dies
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Neil Armstrong, first man to walk on moon, dies
Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon as commander of the Apollo 11 mission, has died at age 82.
Armstrong became the first human to set foot on the moon on July 20, 1969. As he was about to step onto the dusty surface, he uttered the famous line: “That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.”
The Twitter feed of NBC Nightly News said he died at 2:45 p.m. ET Saturday and that he had suffered complications from heart surgery he underwent earlier this month.
The ex-astronaut underwent cardiac bypass surgery just two days after his birthday on Aug. 5.
Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, the colleague who also walked on the moon, sent out a statement late afternoon on Saturday.
"I know I am joined by millions of others in mourning the passing of a true American hero and the best pilot I ever knew," said Aldrin.
"My friend Neil took the small step but giant leap that changed the world and will forever be remembered as a landmark moment in human history. I had truly hoped that in 2019, we would be standing together along with our colleague Mike Collins to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of our moon landing. Regrettably, this is not to be. Neil will most certainly be there with us in spirit."
'The enormous power of one small step'
U.S. President Barack Obama hailed Armstrong as one of America's greatest heroes in a statement, calling Armstrong's first steps on the moon "a moment of human achievement that will never be forgotten."
"Neil’s spirit of discovery lives on in all the men and women who have devoted their lives to exploring the unknown – including those who are ensuring that we reach higher and go further in space. That legacy will endure – sparked by a man who taught us the enormous power of one small step."
NASA chief Charles Bolden recalled Armstrong's legacy: "[He] will be remembered for taking humankind's first small step on a world beyond our own."
CBC News Chief Correspondent Peter Mansbridge called the moon landing an unforgettable event — one that was watched by an estimated 600 million people.
"That was a day of a global village, to quote Marshall McLuhan, we were all sharing this one event."
Mansbridge, on the phone to CBC News Network, said he had the privilege of going to news conferences in the 1970s where Armstrong would be speaking.
"He didn’t seem very outgoing, he wasn't someone who couldn’t wait to get in front of a camera or microphone. He had a life that was without blemish," said Mansbridge.
"Neil Armstrong was a true hero."
Marc Garneau, who was the first Canadian to fly on a NASA mission to space, was 20 years old when Armstrong landed on the moon in 1969.
Garneau, who is now a Liberal MP, said he listened to Armstrong's lunar landing on the radio.
"It was a beautiful moon-lit night and I was seized by this historical moment and I didn’t really believe that it was possible. Of course, this was a great achievement, the first human being to set foot on another celestial body," Garneau said in an interview.
Garneau said Armstrong was a "modest" and "unassuming" man when he met him.
Test pilot
Born in Wapakoneta, Ohio, on Aug. 5, 1930, Armstrong went on to get a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Purdue University and a Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Southern California.
According to the NASA website, Armstrong joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) in 1955. NACA was the predecessor to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). During his 17 years at NACA in Cleveland, he was an engineer, test pilot, astronaut and administrator.
Armstrong then became a research pilot at NASA's Flight Research Center in Edwards, Calif., and flew many pioneering high-speed aircraft. He flew over 200 different models of aircraft, rockets, helicopters and gliders, said the website.
Armstrong was upgraded to astronaut status in 1962. Assigned as command pilot for the Gemini 8 mission, he performed the first successful docking of two vehicles in space on March 16, 1966.
In reflecting on his historic moment on the moon, Armstrong said the "sights were simply magnificent, beyond any visual experience that I had ever been exposed to."
After the moon landing, Armstrong subsequently held the position of Deputy Associate Administrator for Aeronautics, NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
Shunned attention
Armstrong was known for his humility. Despite his fame, he never sought the spotlight. Appearing in Dayton, Ohio, in 2003 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of powered flight, Armstrong spoke for only a few seconds to a crowd of 10,000 before leaving the stage.
Former astronaut and senator John Glenn has described his friend and colleague as "exceptionally brilliant" but "rather retiring."
Eventually, he was a Professor of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Cincinnati between 1971 to 1979. And, from 1982 to1992, Armstrong was chair of Computing Technologies for Aviation, Inc., Charlottesville, Va.
His many honours include the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Space Medal of Honour, the NASA Distinguished Service Medal and the Royal Geographic Society's Gold Medal.
Despite all the accolades, Armstrong said he always thought of himself as an engineer.
"I am, and ever will be, a white socks, pocket protector, nerdy engineer," he stated in one of his 2000 interviews. "And I take a substantial amount of pride in the acccomplishments of my profession."
Neil Armstrong, first man on the moon, dead at 82 | World | News | Toronto Sun
Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon as commander of the Apollo 11 mission, has died at age 82.
Armstrong became the first human to set foot on the moon on July 20, 1969. As he was about to step onto the dusty surface, he uttered the famous line: “That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.”
The Twitter feed of NBC Nightly News said he died at 2:45 p.m. ET Saturday and that he had suffered complications from heart surgery he underwent earlier this month.
The ex-astronaut underwent cardiac bypass surgery just two days after his birthday on Aug. 5.
Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, the colleague who also walked on the moon, sent out a statement late afternoon on Saturday.
"I know I am joined by millions of others in mourning the passing of a true American hero and the best pilot I ever knew," said Aldrin.
"My friend Neil took the small step but giant leap that changed the world and will forever be remembered as a landmark moment in human history. I had truly hoped that in 2019, we would be standing together along with our colleague Mike Collins to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of our moon landing. Regrettably, this is not to be. Neil will most certainly be there with us in spirit."
'The enormous power of one small step'
U.S. President Barack Obama hailed Armstrong as one of America's greatest heroes in a statement, calling Armstrong's first steps on the moon "a moment of human achievement that will never be forgotten."
"Neil’s spirit of discovery lives on in all the men and women who have devoted their lives to exploring the unknown – including those who are ensuring that we reach higher and go further in space. That legacy will endure – sparked by a man who taught us the enormous power of one small step."
NASA chief Charles Bolden recalled Armstrong's legacy: "[He] will be remembered for taking humankind's first small step on a world beyond our own."
CBC News Chief Correspondent Peter Mansbridge called the moon landing an unforgettable event — one that was watched by an estimated 600 million people.
"That was a day of a global village, to quote Marshall McLuhan, we were all sharing this one event."
Mansbridge, on the phone to CBC News Network, said he had the privilege of going to news conferences in the 1970s where Armstrong would be speaking.
"He didn’t seem very outgoing, he wasn't someone who couldn’t wait to get in front of a camera or microphone. He had a life that was without blemish," said Mansbridge.
"Neil Armstrong was a true hero."
Marc Garneau, who was the first Canadian to fly on a NASA mission to space, was 20 years old when Armstrong landed on the moon in 1969.
Garneau, who is now a Liberal MP, said he listened to Armstrong's lunar landing on the radio.
"It was a beautiful moon-lit night and I was seized by this historical moment and I didn’t really believe that it was possible. Of course, this was a great achievement, the first human being to set foot on another celestial body," Garneau said in an interview.
Garneau said Armstrong was a "modest" and "unassuming" man when he met him.
Test pilot
Born in Wapakoneta, Ohio, on Aug. 5, 1930, Armstrong went on to get a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Purdue University and a Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Southern California.
According to the NASA website, Armstrong joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) in 1955. NACA was the predecessor to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). During his 17 years at NACA in Cleveland, he was an engineer, test pilot, astronaut and administrator.
Armstrong then became a research pilot at NASA's Flight Research Center in Edwards, Calif., and flew many pioneering high-speed aircraft. He flew over 200 different models of aircraft, rockets, helicopters and gliders, said the website.
Armstrong was upgraded to astronaut status in 1962. Assigned as command pilot for the Gemini 8 mission, he performed the first successful docking of two vehicles in space on March 16, 1966.
In reflecting on his historic moment on the moon, Armstrong said the "sights were simply magnificent, beyond any visual experience that I had ever been exposed to."
After the moon landing, Armstrong subsequently held the position of Deputy Associate Administrator for Aeronautics, NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
Shunned attention
Armstrong was known for his humility. Despite his fame, he never sought the spotlight. Appearing in Dayton, Ohio, in 2003 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of powered flight, Armstrong spoke for only a few seconds to a crowd of 10,000 before leaving the stage.
Former astronaut and senator John Glenn has described his friend and colleague as "exceptionally brilliant" but "rather retiring."
Eventually, he was a Professor of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Cincinnati between 1971 to 1979. And, from 1982 to1992, Armstrong was chair of Computing Technologies for Aviation, Inc., Charlottesville, Va.
His many honours include the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Space Medal of Honour, the NASA Distinguished Service Medal and the Royal Geographic Society's Gold Medal.
Despite all the accolades, Armstrong said he always thought of himself as an engineer.
"I am, and ever will be, a white socks, pocket protector, nerdy engineer," he stated in one of his 2000 interviews. "And I take a substantial amount of pride in the acccomplishments of my profession."
Neil Armstrong, first man on the moon, dead at 82 | World | News | Toronto Sun
Re: Neil Armstrong, first man to walk on moon, dies
Already got a thread about this topic. I'll just merge 'em.
Already got a thread about this topic. I'll just merge 'em.
Hope not. Though if not for the Cold War its likely no one would know who Neil Armstrong was as the space race wouldnt have happened. At least not the way it did.
what a day that was and what a feeling it must have been taking that 'first' step,
he definiteley did something in his life no one else will ever do, be the first,
and the whole world watched.
R I P
he definiteley did something in his life no one else will ever do, be the first,
and the whole world watched.
R I P
It's all a conspiracy. Interest in space has been declining over the years, especially since it's been a while since the last Star Trek series, and attention dwindled quickly after the last Mars landing, so they faked his death to spark attention again.
He's alive and well, chugging beers in an undisclosed location. I talked to him just the other day.
True story.... It's a conspiracy.
Spread the word......
Awww... What's the matter Bear, no sense of humor?
Someone was going to bring up some sort of conspiracy eventually, I might as well be the one who did it and put something somewhat creative out there.
I'm not feeling the love.
He's alive and well, chugging beers in an undisclosed location. I talked to him just the other day.
True story.... It's a conspiracy.
Spread the word......
Awww... What's the matter Bear, no sense of humor?
Someone was going to bring up some sort of conspiracy eventually, I might as well be the one who did it and put something somewhat creative out there.
I'm not feeling the love.
I have a well developed sense of humour.
I just have a low tolerance for jackasses.
I also didn't want to ruin the thread with calling you out in the open.
So if your panties aren't to ruffled, take it to PM's, the Mods or someone who cares.
It's all a conspiracy. Interest in space has been declining over the years, especially since it's been a while since the last Star Trek series, and attention dwindled quickly after the last Mars landing, so they faked his death to spark attention again.
He's alive and well, chugging beers in an undisclosed location. I talked to him just the other day.
True story.... It's a conspiracy.
Spread the word......
Awww... What's the matter Bear, no sense of humor?
Someone was going to bring up some sort of conspiracy eventually, I might as well be the one who did it and put something somewhat creative out there.
I'm not feeling the love.
That would be because it's a memorial thread and, well, not sure if the bodies even really all that cold yet.
It has nothing to do with lack of a sense of humour.
It has everything to do with disrespect and a lack of class and couth.
Oh so this is a memorial thread?
Didn't see anything in the subject header stating that and it's in the news section.... seems like any other thread to me & thus, fair game.
I don't see what the big deal is anyways..... when I die, crack all the jokes you want.... it's not like I'll come back to haunt your ass or anything.
.... Or will I?
If I was going to be disrespectful... I would have pulled out bigger guns than the above post.
Didn't see anything in the subject header stating that and it's in the news section.... seems like any other thread to me & thus, fair game.
I don't see what the big deal is anyways..... when I die, crack all the jokes you want.... it's not like I'll come back to haunt your ass or anything.
.... Or will I?
If I was going to be disrespectful... I would have pulled out bigger guns than the above post.
Sure. If you want to be a jackass, then by all means.
Just don't expect that you won't get called on it.
Because the definition of what constitutes a big deal is for you and only you to decide. It's a good thing other people don't need oxygen too.
Anyway, if it's so 'not a big deal' why make any kind of a deal, big or small, out of a neg rep in the first place then?
I've no doubt you will. Enjoy the attention you so obviously seek.
Never said it was a big deal, but I find it a bit comical how some of the more offensive members in here took enough offense from what I posted that they had to thumb it down.
Like I said, if I wanted to be a real jackass, I'd say something like how so many people are making a big deal out of nothing, that everybody dies eventually, I could have brought up how the whole thing was a political farce to look better than the Russians, or I could have easily switched this into a tasteless debate over the moon landing or some other conspiracy, among many other things.
But I didn't, because that wouldn't have been polite.
Still, it's pretty funny to see what some in here will target, insult & make fun of over the years, yet get all uppity & serious over something like some old guy dying whom they probably never met, had no direct impact on their lives, and his "heroic" deed amounts to a political stunt, having his ass strapped to a rocket and putting his feet on a ball of dust. He didn't save anyone's life, he didn't solve world hunger or prevent WWIII.
But I do respect the guy for downplaying it all for most of his life.
Now I suspect there'll be a live program on tv for everybody to watch his funeral & glorified for everything he has done.
I'm not saying they shouldn't, but I'm sure this will all get milked for everything it's worth.
I bet nobody made a big deal when that dog that was shot into space died.... Cuz that was a pretty big deal too.
Happy now?
But part of your post make it seems like you are mocking the memory of the man,he did something only a few others did,which was a huge step for mankind,which put him in the select group of explorers,and risk takers.It's all a conspiracy. Interest in space has been declining over the years, especially since it's been a while since the last Star Trek series, and attention dwindled quickly after the last Mars landing, so they faked his death to spark attention again.
He's alive and well, chugging beers in an undisclosed location. I talked to him just the other day.
True story.... It's a conspiracy.
Spread the word......
Awww... What's the matter Bear, no sense of humor?
Someone was going to bring up some sort of conspiracy eventually, I might as well be the one who did it and put something somewhat creative out there.
I'm not feeling the love.
Perhaps he did... But I don't equate risk taking as being heroic. Risk taking is more of a stunt & base jumping doesn't make you a hero. His accomplishment equates to much the same, except with a multi-million dollar rocket & a bunch of computers added to the mix with government funding.
There is a difference between "risk takers" and boneheads, the "stuntmens" you refer to are nothing more than loony dardevils,who do what they do to entertain people who hope to see them fail and die.
Risk takers do things that will generally work, boneheads do things that will generally fail! :lol: