While many of his peers felt grounded and disheartened by the fleeting nature of the Apollo era, which concluded with the final manned landing in 1972, Massimino persevered. Fueled by his Apollo-driven aspirations, he navigated through years of rigorous training and numerous obstacles, eventually earning a coveted spot in NASA’s astronaut corps in 1996. Unlike some, Massimino had the unique privilege of forming friendships with several Apollo astronauts throughout his NASA journey.
Massimino’s Liftoff: A Dream Realized
In 2002 and again in 2009, Massimino finally achieved liftoff, soaring into the cosmos aboard space shuttles to work on the Hubble Space Telescope. With him, he took the invaluable lessons learned from Apollo astronauts. Upon his return to Earth, he leveraged his own space adventures to gain recognition and contribute to the field of space science and exploration.
Childhood Memories of Apollo 11: The Spark Ignited
As a six-year-old during the Apollo 11 mission, the event left an indelible mark on Massimino. It was one of his earliest memories, shaping his awareness of the world around him.
The Launch: A Pivotal Moment
The anticipation leading up to that historic summer, watching the launch of his Long Island elementary school’s summer program, was a pivotal moment in his life.
The Moon Landing: A Family Affair
Being glued to the TV during the moon landing with his family—these moments fueled his lifelong passion for space.
Astronaut Massimino’s meeting with Neil Armstrong
The Moon Landing: A Personal Connection
“I remember them landing and everyone being very, very happy that they made it. I went outside and looked up at the moon, thinking, ‘There are people on it.’ I wanted to be one of those guys.”
Apollo 11 Heroes: More Than Just Astronauts
“All three of the Apollo 11 astronauts were the coolest guys ever. Neil Armstrong was my hero, and I liked Mike Collins because he had the same name as I did. At six years old, that’s very important. I was very excited about it. I think it just hit me at the right time in my life.”
The Bigger Picture: A Lesson for Future Generations
“We were learning about Columbus and other explorers when I was in school, which happened 500 years earlier. And I thought to myself, this is what they’re going to learn about in school 500 years from now. They’re going to learn about this. This is when we left the planet.”
Becoming an Astronaut: The Apollo 11 Influence
“You went on to become an astronaut and, over time, became familiar with the entire Apollo 11 crew. Tell me about those interactions. Did they give you any valuable advice?”
Neil Armstrong’s Wisdom: A Teachable Moment
“I asked Neil Armstrong when he thought of his saying: ‘One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.’ He said he didn’t think about it until after he landed. I was a new astronaut, and he said, ‘If I didn’t land it, there’d be no reason to say anything.'”
“He saw it as a teachable moment. He told me, ‘Mike, you’re new at this.’ ‘You gotta stick to business first and worry about all that later.’ That was what I learned from Neil Armstrong.”
Want to delve deeper into the life of Neil Armstrong following the groundbreaking Apollo 11 mission? Be sure to read our insightful article: What Happened to Neil Armstrong After Apollo 11, for an in-depth look at the post-mission journey of this legendary astronaut.
Astronaut Massimino’s meeting with Buzz Aldrin
First Encounter with Buzz Aldrin: A Brief Introduction
“The first time I met Buzz Aldrin, I introduced myself, but he was busy, and didn’t have much conversation with him. I did get to interview him at the Intrepid Museum five years ago, on the 45th anniversary of Apollo 11.”
Buzz Aldrin’s “Magnificent Desolation”: A Profound Realization
“We talked about what he famously called the moon’s ‘magnificent desolation,’ his realization when he got out of the lunar lander and looked around that everything there had not really changed in hundreds of thousands, maybe millions of years. I see him from time to time in different places.”
Curious to know more about Buzz Aldrin’s life after the historic Apollo 11 mission? Dive into our in-depth article: What Happened to Buzz Aldrin After Apollo 11, to explore the intriguing journey of this iconic astronaut.
Astronaut Massimino’s meeting with Michael Collins
Mike Collins: The Unforgettable First Meeting
“He’s polite enough to pretend like he remembers who I am, so that’s somewhat cool! Before I was an astronaut, I first met Mike Collins when I was an intern at NASA headquarters.”
A Casual Lunch with Collins: The MIT Connection
“I heard him give a little talk, and when I went to the cafeteria for lunch, he was there sitting by himself. I forced myself on him and said, ‘Hey, do you mind if I join you?’ He said, ‘Sure.’ I told him I was a student at M.I.T., and we talked about various things going on at NASA.”
Reconnecting with Collins: A Friendship Renewed
“Since then, we’ve reconnected. When our mutual friend, [Apollo and Skylab] astronaut Alan Bean, died a little over a year ago.”
Are you interested in learning more about the often-overlooked third member of the Apollo 11 mission, Mike Collins? Don’t miss our detailed biography, Michael Collins: A Biography of an Apollo 11 Astronaut, to uncover the life and contributions of this remarkable astronaut.
Honoring Alan Bean: A Shared Moment with Collins
“I spoke at Alan’s memorial and was an honorary pallbearer at his internment, and Mike was there, too. It just so happened that we got to spend some time together there. He’s a very nice man. Very, very humble.”
The Lasting Legacy: Standing on the Shoulders of Giants
“As an astronaut, we all benefit from what those guys did. When people think of astronauts, they think of Neil, Buzz, and Mike. And the original Mercury Seven, what those guys were to the country, and what the space program meant back then. We’re still benefiting from that; we’re still following in their footsteps.”
If you’re fascinated by the enduring impact of the Apollo missions, you won’t want to miss our comprehensive article: The Complete Guide to the Apollo Program. It delves into the intricate details and milestones that made Apollo a cornerstone of space exploration.