Michael Collins dies: The man who didn't set foot on the moon on the first mission to the moon

"One small step for me, one giant leap for mankind"

This sentence comes from the first American astronaut Armstrong to land on the moon. A classic famous saying after landing on the moon is also the most well-known astronaut on the moon. Aldrin, who stepped on the moon with him, also said something more poetic:

"Beautiful, beautiful, wasteland"

So after the two astronauts returned to Earth, they became textbooks and the names that appeared most in the media and newspapers. However, there were three people on the Apollo 11 spacecraft at that time, but only two people landed on the moon. And the name of the third person has been forgotten by everyone for a long, long time. Until yesterday, with the passing of Michael Collins, his name made headlines.

On July 16, 1969, the US "Saturn V" rocket carrying the "Apollo 11" spacecraft was launched from the Kennedy Space Center. Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins are about to perform one of the greatest feats in human history—landing on the moon.

On July 20, the spacecraft was already in lunar orbit and ready to land on the moon. Armstrong's "Eagle" lunar module and Aldrin separated from the "Columbia" command module. At this time, Collins, sitting in the command module, was about to experience the loneliest 27 hours of his life. In a 60-mile lunar orbit on the lunar surface, Collins flew 14 times, losing contact with everyone each time the spacecraft disappeared behind the moon.

"The moment I disappeared on the far side of the moon, and radio communication with Earth came to an abrupt end. I was alone, truly alone, completely cut off from any known life. There are three billion plus two people on the other side of the moon. It's just me on the side plus God knows what else. I can feel it all strongly, but not with fear or loneliness, but with the unknown, the anticipation, the satisfaction, and the joy. I love the feeling that there are only stars out my window… …”

This is a description from Collins' 1974 autobiography The Last Stand.

On July 24, 1969, the two people on the moon completed their mission and took the lunar module to prepare to return to the command module. At this time, Collins in the command module picked up the camera and took this photo:

This photo contains the Earth, the Moon, and Armstrong and Aldrin, the only human being without Collins.

As the only person who did not land on the moon during the first human mission to the moon, the reporter once asked Collins that he did not regret it. He replied: "I know I'd be a liar or a fool if I said I had the best of the three positions on Apollo 11, but I can honestly and calmly say that I'm not happy with the position I have. Very satisfied that this adventure is for three people and I think my mission is as necessary as the other two."

After the Apollo 11 mission to the moon, Collins left NASA and has since held positions at the U.S. State Department and the National Air and Space Museum. On April 28, 2021, Collins passed away in the company of his family at the age of 90 after a long battle with cancer.

"Mike has always faced life's challenges with appropriateness and humility, even in the end. We will miss him dearly and trust him to know how lucky he was to have lived through this life. "- Collins family

"America lost today a true pioneer, astronaut Michael Collins, a lifelong exploration of exploration. NASA mourns the passing of this accomplished pilot and astronaut, a dear friend to all who challenged human potential. Whatever his work Behind the scenes or in front of the stage, he will always be remembered as a pioneer on behalf of America into space. His spirit will be with us as we travel beyond the horizon." -NAS