RIP Michael Collins - Apollo 11

[troutman]

Michael Collins, ‘Third Man’ of the Moon Landing, Dies at 90


Orbiting dozens of miles above the lunar surface, he kept solitary watch of the Apollo command module as Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin embarked for the moon.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/28/s...ies-at-90.html

[troutman]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1387451395461292037


“I am alone now, truly alone. And absolutely isolated from any known life. I am it. If a count were taken, the score would be three billion plus two over on the other side of the moon, and one plus God only knows what on this side. I like the feeling. Outside my window I can see stars — and that is all. Where I know the moon to be, there is simply a black void.” - Carrying The Fire, by Micheal Collins

[Puppet Guy]

Originally Posted by troutman

https://twitter.com/user/status/1387451395461292037


“I am alone now, truly alone. And absolutely isolated from any known life. I am it. If a count were taken, the score would be three billion plus two over on the other side of the moon, and one plus God only knows what on this side. I like the feeling. Outside my window I can see stars — and that is all. Where I know the moon to be, there is simply a black void.” - Carrying The Fire, by Micheal Collins

Came in to say that Carrying the Fire should be read by anyone interested in the space program. It's an EXCELLENT book.

As a kid I always felt sorry for Michael Collins because he didn't get to land on the moon. I don't think it ever bothered him.

[chubeyr1]

Originally Posted by Puppet Guy

Came in to say that Carrying the Fire should be read by anyone interested in the space program. It's an EXCELLENT book.

As a kid I always felt sorry for Michael Collins because he didn't get to land on the moon. I don't think it ever bothered him.

I think the lander crew loved this guy for waiting for them after all kinds of stuff went wrong. It was rumored he refused to leave without them yet ordered too.

Regardless, without him 2 dead astronauts in space!

They all came home with him!

Loniness man in the world for a few days. People would pay money for that!

[troutman]

To the Moon and Back With Michael Collins, 1930-2021

My fellow astronaut was a great pilot, a great friend and a great patriot.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/to-the-...ion_major_pos4

Neil Armstrong and I were blessed to have had Mike as our crewmate on America’s first manned mission to the moon’s surface, in July 1969. No one is more responsible for our success—taking us out and bringing us home safely—than Mike.

What Mike gave our nation is hard to express. He was a fearless test pilot, inveterate scholar, cheerful crewmate; he was calm under pressure, self-disciplined, knew every detail of the Columbia command module. He was also a lifelong friend, focused on others and often hardest on himself.

Mike was the best of America, someone who instinctively put himself out for others, a lifetime commitment. He felt no mission was too hard, no challenge beyond trying, and that we should always be ready to serve. He was that example. I will miss my friend. America had no better friend.