Buzz Aldrin: The Second Man on the Moon

Early Life and Career

Buzz Aldrin, whose birth name is Edwin Eugene Aldrin Jr., was born on January 20, 1930, in Montclair, New Jersey. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1951 and served as a fighter pilot in the Korean War, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross.

NASA Career

In 1963, Aldrin was selected as a NASA astronaut. He served as the pilot of the Gemini 12 mission in 1966, and in 1969, he joined Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins as part of the Apollo 11 crew.

On July 20, 1969, Aldrin became the second human to walk on the moon, following Armstrong. Aldrin and Armstrong spent about two and a half hours exploring the lunar surface, collecting samples and taking photographs.

Post-NASA Career

After retiring from NASA, Aldrin continued his involvement in space exploration. He served as a consultant for various space missions and authored several books on space and science. Aldrin is also an advocate for space advocacy and education.

Legacy

Buzz Aldrin is remembered as one of the most accomplished astronauts of all time. His historic moonwalk and contributions to space exploration have inspired generations of scientists, engineers, and astronauts.