Buzz Aldrin, born Edwin Eugene Aldrin Jr., is an iconic figure in human history. He is best known for being the second person to walk on the Moon, a feat that captivated the world and cemented his place in the annals of space exploration. This blog post explores his life and career, focusing on his journey to becoming an astronaut and his experiences during the Apollo 11 mission.
How Buzz Aldrin Got His Iconic Nickname
Buzz Aldrin’s sister, Fay Ann, gave him the nickname “Buzzer.”When Buzz was young, his sister, who was a year older than him, struggled to pronounce “Brother” and instead called him “Buzzer.”Over time, this was shortened to “Buzz,” the name he is now known by.
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Early Influences: A Budding Fascination with Flight
Aldrin’s journey began long before the Apollo 11 mission. His fascination with flight was ignited at an early age, influenced by his father, a Standard Oil employee and Army Air Corps veteran.
The elder Aldrin, a pilot himself, instilled in his son a love for the skies. A defining moment in young Buzz’s life was his first flight at the age of two. Soaring in a small, shiny white plane, designed to resemble an eagle sparked a thrill that would stay with him forever.
Beyond his father’s influence, Aldrin’s character was shaped by a strong sense of determination and independence. These qualities were further reinforced by his admiration for the Lone Ranger, a fictional hero who embodied self-reliance and courage.
Emulating his idol, a ten-year-old Aldrin embarked on a solo bike ride across the George Washington Bridge to New York City. This twenty-mile journey through unfamiliar roads and bustling streets demonstrated his resilience and his desire to explore the unknown.
From West Point to the Korean War: A Foundation of Discipline and Excellence
Buzz Aldrin excelled in both academics and athletics, demonstrating a competitive spirit that would serve him well in his future endeavors.
He actively participated in various sports, always striving to be the best, whether as part of a team or competing individually. His drive to succeed led him to West Point, where he pursued his dream of joining the Air Force.
Aldrin’s time at West Point was marked by rigorous discipline and unwavering focus. He embraced the challenges of military life, running everywhere, enduring silent meals, and adhering to strict orders. His commitment paid off, as he graduated first in his class, a testament to his exceptional abilities and dedication.
After graduating from West Point, Aldrin fulfilled his ambition of joining the Air Force, where he honed his piloting skills and learned to fly fighter jets.
He embraced the exhilarating feeling of breaking free from gravity and pushing the limits of speed. During the Korean War, he served with distinction, flying sixty-six combat missions in an F-86 Sabre jet, demonstrating his courage and skill under pressure.
The Call of Space: Embracing a New Frontier
Following his service in the Korean War, Aldrin was stationed in Germany, piloting planes that exceeded the speed of sound. While he relished this experience, the news of America’s first seven astronauts in the Mercury program, aiming to orbit the Earth, sparked a new ambition.
Initially, Aldrin viewed the astronauts as supermen, figures beyond his reach. However, a conversation with his friend Ed White, a fellow West Point graduate, changed his perspective. White’s intention to apply to the space program made Aldrin realize that astronauts were pilots just like him.
This realization ignited a new passion in Aldrin. He saw the Mercury program as a pioneering adventure, America’s first foray into space. Determined to be part of this historic undertaking, he set out to enhance his qualifications, recognizing the need to stand out among the Air Force’s many skilled pilots.
Aldrin pursued a doctoral degree in aeronautics and astronautics, choosing to specialize in rendezvous, the complex process of bringing two objects together in space.
He delved into this field with a firm belief that human understanding of rendezvous was essential, complementing the computational power of computers with human creativity and common sense. His dedication was evident in his final paper, which he dedicated to the American astronauts, expressing his fervent desire to join their ranks.
Perseverance and Preparation: Joining NASA’s Elite
Aldrin’s journey to becoming an astronaut was not without setbacks. His first application to the program was rejected. However, his determination did not waver. He persevered, and his second application proved successful.
Though he maintained an outward appearance of confidence, inside, he was brimming with excitement at the prospect of joining NASA’s elite.
As an astronaut, Aldrin embarked on rigorous training alongside other men in the space program.
They immersed themselves in the intricacies of computers and instruments, studying the successes and failures of previous spaceflights. Survival training was also paramount, preparing them for the possibility of spacecraft crashes upon returning to Earth.
A key aspect of their training involved learning to move in the weightlessness of space. While others relied on ropes and pulleys, Aldrin believed underwater simulations provided more realistic preparation. He spent countless hours submerged in a pool, tethered to an airline, meticulously practicing even the simplest movements.
Gemini: A Stepping Stone to the Moon
Aldrin’s first spaceflight was aboard Gemini, where he and fellow astronaut Jim Lovell were tasked with orbiting the Earth and refining rendezvous techniques.
Once in orbit, Aldrin ventured outside the spacecraft, connected only by a thin cord, experiencing the awe-inspiring sensation of a spacewalk.
As they circled the Earth at 17,500 miles per hour, he witnessed the breathtaking curvature of his home planet. The brown expanse of Africa, the night descending over the Indian Ocean, and a shower of green meteors over the Australian desert were among the spectacles that etched themselves in his memory.
The Apollo 11 Mission: A Giant Leap for Mankind
The success of the Gemini mission paved the way for an even more ambitious undertaking: the Apollo program, with its audacious goal of landing humans on the Moon. This monumental task was met with considerable skepticism.
Doubters questioned the feasibility of building the powerful rockets needed for such a journey, the ability of computers to handle complex calculations, and the possibility of a safe return from the lunar surface.
Yet, one by one, these challenges were overcome through the ingenuity and dedication of countless individuals.
Neil Armstrong, Mike Collins, and Buzz Aldrin were chosen for Apollo 11, the mission designated to achieve the historic lunar landing. On July 16, 1969, at sunrise, they stood beside the colossal Saturn V rocket.
As his crewmates boarded the spacecraft, Aldrin experienced a moment of solitude, reflecting on his lifelong journey that had culminated in this pivotal moment. Years of striving, learning, competing, and succeeding had led him to this point – an astronaut on the verge of a mission to the Moon. He was filled with calm confidence, certain of their success.
The launch of Apollo 11 was surprisingly smooth, the immense power of the Saturn V rocket masked by a gentle sensation that belied their incredible acceleration.
Through the spacecraft window, the Earth dwindled in size until it could be obscured by Aldrin’s thumb. After five hours, the crew shed their spacesuits and helmets, enjoying the relative freedom of the cabin.
They dined on chicken salad and applesauce, followed by shrimp cocktail, Aldrin’s preferred freeze-dried delicacy. Rest came in the form of floating above their couches, comfortably weightless in their sleeping bags, their temporary home a tiny haven of warmth and air hurtling through the frigid vacuum of space.
Four days and 240,000 miles later, Apollo 11 reached lunar orbit. The spacecraft separated into two parts: the Columbia, where Mike Collins would remain, and the Eagle, the lunar module tasked with carrying Armstrong and Aldrin to the Moon’s surface.
The Eagle, while powerful enough for its mission, was remarkably fragile, its thin walls seemingly penetrable by a simple pencil.
The computer had designated a landing site, but as they approached, it became clear that the chosen area was too treacherous, littered with rocks. Relying solely on the computer’s guidance was too risky.
Armstrong took manual control of the Eagle, skillfully maneuvering the craft to a safe landing, a feat accomplished with mere seconds of fuel remaining.
With the Eagle safely on the lunar surface, a sense of accomplishment filled the cabin. There were no words needed between Armstrong and Aldrin; their shared grin spoke volumes. Their mission was far from over, but they had achieved a pivotal milestone.
Magnificent Desolation: A Walk on the Moon
For Aldrin, flight and spaceflight had always been associated with motion. Now, however, the Eagle stood motionless on the alien landscape. After donning their spacesuits, Neil Armstrong emerged first, descending the Eagle’s ladder to become the first human to set foot on the Moon. His iconic words, “That’s one small step for… man, one giant leap for mankind,” were heard by millions back on Earth.
Aldrin soon followed, joining Armstrong on the desolate yet captivating lunar surface. The Moon was a world devoid of color, a stark panorama of gray and white rocks and craters stretching endlessly. The shadows cast by the Sun and the sky above were an absolute black, unlike anything Aldrin had ever seen. He described the scene as “magnificent desolation.”
Looking up, Aldrin could see Earth, a vibrant sphere of blue water, white clouds, and brown land, hanging in the blackness. He could discern the continents, aware that they were younger than the ancient lunar dust beneath his feet. It was a profound moment, a realization of the vastness of space and the fragility of their home planet.
A Symbol of National Pride: Planting the Flag
Aldrin and Armstrong carefully retrieved the American flag from its compartment. Planting it on the Moon was a symbolic act, representing not only their nation’s achievement but also the culmination of human ingenuity and ambition.
The lunar soil, however, proved resistant, allowing the pole to penetrate only a few inches. With over half a billion people watching on television, Aldrin worried that the flag would sag or topple. To their relief, it remained upright, a proud banner against the black canvas of space. Aldrin, ever the military man, snapped off a crisp salute, just as he had been taught at West Point.
Their work continued, with Aldrin reverting to his childhood pastime of rock collecting, gathering samples for scientific study back on Earth. Yet, the memory of planting the flag remained vivid, a symbol of national pride and a moment that transcended the scientific goals of the mission.
Before departing, they left a plaque on the lunar surface, a message for future generations: “Here Men From The Planet Earth First Set Foot Upon The Moon July 1969, A.D. We Came In Peace For All Mankind.” These simple words encapsulated the significance of their achievement, a testament to human ambition, peaceful exploration, and the pursuit of knowledge.
Legacy of the Apollo Program and the Future of Space Exploration
The Apollo 11 mission stands as a testament to human ingenuity, perseverance, and the power of collaboration. President John F. Kennedy’s challenge in 1961 to land a person on the Moon by 1970 seemed audacious at the time.
Yet, through engineering brilliance, tireless effort, teamwork, individual skill, courage, and sacrifice, the goal was accomplished. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were the first, but they were followed by ten more astronauts, twelve in total, who walked on the Moon.
The journey to the Moon, however, was not without its perils. Twenty-two men and women from around the world lost their lives in the pursuit of space exploration. Among them was Ed White, Aldrin’s friend and fellow West Point graduate, the very person who had inspired him to join the space program.
Since the Moon landing, Aldrin has been a staunch advocate for continued space exploration. He sees the early NASA programs – Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo – as mere stepping stones on a much longer journey. He envisions humans venturing beyond the Moon to other planets in our solar system, perhaps even establishing permanent settlements on the Moon or Mars.
He imagines a future where space travel becomes commonplace, with tickets on spaceships as readily available as airplane tickets today.
While some of these ideas may seem fantastical, Aldrin reminds us that the same was once said about the mission to the Moon. He believes that ambitious goals, even those that appear beyond our grasp, can inspire us to achieve extraordinary things.
Aldrin’s message is one of hope and inspiration. While not everyone can explore space, he believes that we all have our own metaphorical moons to reach for. By setting our sights high, embracing challenges, and persevering in the face of setbacks, we can accomplish more than we ever thought possible. Buzz Aldrin’s journey, from a childhood fascination with a flight to his historic walk on the Moon, exemplifies this spirit of human endeavor. His story serves as a reminder that even the most ambitious dreams can be realized through dedication, hard work, and the unyielding belief in the power of the human spirit.