Apollo 11’s ‘third astronaut’ reveals secrets from dark side of the moon | 60 Minutes Australia

60 Minutes Australia11 minutes read

The 50th anniversary of Neil Armstrong's moon landing is celebrated this year, highlighting the crucial role played by Michael Collins in the Apollo 11 mission, where he piloted the command module and safely re-docked the lunar module for the return journey to Earth. The astronauts, including Armstrong, Aldrin, and Collins, were quarantined after the mission to prevent the spread of any harmful pathogens they may have brought back from the moon.

Insights

  • Michael Collins' crucial role in Apollo 11 involved piloting the command module, orbiting the moon alone during the lunar landing, and safely re-docking the lunar module, showcasing his significant contributions to the mission's success.
  • The astronauts' post-mission quarantine with white mice highlights the precautionary measures taken to prevent the spread of potential pathogens from space, underscoring the importance of safeguarding against unknown risks in space exploration.

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Recent questions

  • Who were the astronauts on Apollo 11?

    Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Michael Collins.

  • What role did Michael Collins play in Apollo 11?

    He piloted the command module and orbited the moon.

  • Where is the International Space Station located?

    It orbits Earth with six astronauts onboard.

  • Who communicates with astronauts from the European Space Agency?

    Andrea Boyd, an Australian engineer.

  • What happened to the astronauts after Apollo 11's successful mission?

    They were quarantined for two weeks with white mice.

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Summary

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Apollo 11 Astronauts: Moon Landing Heroes

  • 50th anniversary of Neil Armstrong stepping on the moon celebrated this year
  • Michael Collins, the third astronaut on Apollo 11, played a crucial role in the mission
  • International Space Station currently orbits Earth with six astronauts conducting experiments
  • Andrea Boyd, an Australian engineer, communicates with astronauts from the European Space Agency's mission control in Cologne, Germany
  • Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became instant heroes for walking on the moon, while Michael Collins piloted the command module
  • Michael Collins orbited the moon alone during the lunar landing, experiencing solitude and darkness
  • Collins played a vital role in safely re-docking the lunar module for the return journey to Earth
  • After Apollo 11's successful mission, the astronauts were quarantined for two weeks with white mice to ensure they didn't bring back harmful pathogens
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