Who was Buzz Aldrin? In this article, I will explore Buzz’s life and biography. In 1963, NASA selected him as part of the third group of astronauts. He was also the first to obtain a doctorate and became known as “Dr. Rendezvous.” The docking and rendezvous techniques he devised for spacecraft in Earth and lunar orbit became critical to the Gemini and Apollo programs’ success and are still practiced today.
Apollo 11 Astronaut Edwin Eugene Aldrin Jr. was one of the first people to walk on the Moon. Buzz set foot on the Moon at 03:15:16 on July 21, 1969 (UTC), nineteen minutes after flight commander Neil Armstrong first touched the surface.
Apollo 11 Space wishes Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin a happy 91st birthday on January 20, 2021.
The Life of Buzz Aldrin
Following the Moon landing, Buzz Aldrin has become a household name.
In 1969, he inspired a generation of children to dream of following him and many other astronauts to the stars. He persists in his efforts to inspire people.
Buzz Aldrin was born in Montclair, New Jersey on January 20, 1930. His mother, Marion Moon, was the daughter of an Army Chaplain.
Edwin Eugene Aldrin
His father, Edwin Eugene Aldrin, was a Colonel in the Air Force. And ScD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
He was also an aviation pioneer who later became the Commanding Officer of the Newark Airport in New Jersey.
Buzz grew up in New Jersey. After graduating one year early from Montclair High School, he attended the US Military Academy at West Point. He graduated third in his class with a BS in mechanical engineering.
He then joined the Air Force, where he flew F86 Sabre Jets in 66 combat missions in Korea. He shot down two MIG-15s ′s and was decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross.
After a tour of duty in Germany, flying F100s ′s, he went on to earn his Doctorate of Science in Astronautics at MIT and wrote his thesis on Manned Orbital Rendezvous.
Selected by NASA in 1963 into the third group of astronauts, Aldrin was the first with a doctorate. He became known as “Dr. Rendezvous.”
Buzz docking and rendezvous techniques
The docking and rendezvous techniques he devised for spacecraft in Earth and lunar orbit became critical to the success of the Gemini and Apollo programs and are still used today.
He also pioneered underwater training techniques, as a substitute for zero gravity flights, to simulate spacewalking.
In 1966 on the Gemini 12 orbital mission, Buzz performed the world’s first successful spacewalk. And overcoming prior difficulties experienced by Americans and Russians during extra-vehicular activity (EVA). And setting a new EVA record of 5 ½ hours.
On July 20, 1969, Buzz and Neil Armstrong made their historic Apollo 11 moonwalk, becoming the first two humans to set foot on another world.
They spent 21 hours on the lunar surface and returned with 46 pounds of moon rocks. An estimated 600 million people – at that time, the world’s largest television audience in history – witnessed this unprecedented heroic endeavor.
Asteroid Was Named After Buzz Aldrin
Upon returning from the moon, Buzz was decorated with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest American peacetime award.
A 45-day international goodwill tour followed, where he received numerous distinguished awards and medals from 23 other countries.
Asteroid “6470 Aldrin” and the “Aldrin Crater” on the moon are named after Buzz. Buzz and his Apollo 11 crew have four “stars” on each corner of Hollywood and Vine streets on the renowned Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Aldrin Retiring
Since retiring from NASA and the U.S. Air Force, Col. Aldrin has been a Global Statesman for Space and has remained a tireless advocate for human space exploration.
Aldrin has remained at the forefront of efforts to ensure America’s continued leadership in human space exploration.
He devised a master plan for missions to Mars known as the “Aldrin Mars Cycler,” a spacecraft system with perpetually cycling orbits between Earth and Mars.
Dr. Aldrin has received three US patents for his schematics of a modular space station, Starbooster reusable rockets, and multi-crew modules for space flight.
Buzz Aldrin And His Company
Buzz founded Starcraft Boosters, Inc., a rocket design company, and Buzz Aldrin’s ShareSpace Foundation, a nonprofit devoted to addressing science literacy for children by igniting their passion for science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) through delivering hands-on STEAM activities and inspirational messages.
In June 2011, Buzz started a new company, Buzz Aldrin Enterprises, LLC, to promote his brand and oversee all aspects of his public appearances, media, licensing, endorsements, and efforts to promote the future of the space program.
Buzz Receives The Congressional Gold Medal
On November 16, 2011, Dr. Aldrin was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the nation’s highest civilian honor. Along with the other Apollo 11 crew members, Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins.
and Mercury Seven astronaut John Glenn for their important contributions to society and for blazing the trail of exploration.
Buzz The Author
Aldrin wrote two autobiographies. Return to Earth (1973). It tells the story of his experience with depression following the Apollo 11 mission.
And Magnificent Desolation: The Long Journey Home from the Moon (2009, with Ken Abraham).
History of The Apollo program
Furthermore, he also wrote a history of the Apollo program. Men from Earth (1989, with Malcolm McConnell).
Two children’s books, Reaching for the Moon (2005) and Look to the Stars (2009).
And two forward-looking works. Mission to Mars: My Vision for Space Exploration (2013) and No Dream Is Too High.
Life Lessons from a Man Who Walked on the Moon (2016).
Buzz And Children’s Books
He continues to inspire today’s youth with his illustrated children’s books Reaching for the Moon, another New York Times best-seller, and Look to the Stars.
He has also authored two space science-fact-fiction novels: The Return and Encounter with the Tiber.
His non-fiction works include the best-seller historical documentary Men from Earth. And an early 1970′s autobiography. Return to Earth.
Buzz Aldrin Advocates For “Mission to Mars”
His newest book, “Mission to Mars: My Vision for Space Exploration,” was published by the National Geographic Society on May 7, 2013. It outlines his plan to take humanity beyond the moon and onto Mars.
As one of the leading space exploration advocates. Buzz continues to chart a course for future space travel and is passionate about inspiring the younger generations of future explorers and innovators.
Fifty-one years ago, Aldrin and Neil Armstrong became the first humans to land on the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission to the Moon. Buzz retired from the Air Force as a full colonel in 1972.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. Please feel free to browse my website for more interesting facts about the Mission to the Moon, especially Apollo 11.
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