On August 25, 2012, ten years ago, the first man to walk on the moon is leaving usvictim of complications following a heart operation.
Born on August 5, 1930 in Wapakoneta, Ohio, this Navy test pilot was selected by NASA in September 1962. If his first space mission was Gemini 8 in 1966, history has especially remembered his role as commander for his second, Apollo 11 in 1969and his emblematic phrase when putting his left foot on the Moon: “It’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for humanity.».
Contrary to a tenacious legend regarding his alleged desire to isolate himself following Apollo, Neil Armstrong continued his professional career, notably towards teaching, giving engineering courses at the University of Cincinnati until 1980. He also participated in the commission of inquiry into the accident of the shuttle Challenger in 1986.
Reluctant to any form of celebrity, he nevertheless agreed to write his biography with the historian James Hansen. This book published in 2005, First Manwas adapted to the cinema in 2018.
on the occasion of the fortieth anniversary of Apollo 11 in 2009, Neil Armstrong gave us an interview (which is rare enough to be reported). At the time, America was considering a return to the Moon with the Constellation program which was later canceled. But the logic of returning to our natural satellite resurfaced with the Artemis program whose first flight is scheduled for August 29. Even today, the words of the commander of Apollo 11 retain all their relevance.
Cité de l’Espace: 40 years later [en 2009 donc]has your personal analysis of the first steps on the Moon and their historical significance changed from the time of Apollo?
Neil Armstrong : At the start of the space age, half a century ago, many wondered if humans might survive in space. After learning that they might, they wondered if they might leave Earth and head to other destinations within the Cosmos. With the Apollo program, it has been proven that the human species is not forever chained to Earth by the force of gravity. Humans, with sufficiently advanced technology, can travel within the solar system, search for exploitable natural resources and learn a lot regarding our little part of the universe that still remains unknown. This ability remains unchanged four decades later.
Cité de l’espace: You have often recalled that Apollo was only possible thanks to the unfailing dedication of 400,000 men and women, whether NASA personnel or its contractors and subcontractors. . But since then, the world of industry has changed, and so has NASA. In today’s America, is it possible to once once more initiate such devotion to the space program and in particular to the return to the Moon?
Neil Armstrong : The space race emerged from the competition between East and West during the first decades of the second half of the twentieth century. This intense competition has spawned projects that have produced many innovations and encouraged a large number of talented young people to participate through higher education in engineering, science and mathematics. Exciting new programs are sure to inspire many young students to do their best to participate. However, I cannot say whether the majority of the general public will be as motivated to support the existence of such programs.
