How long were armstrong and aldrin on the moon

However, when Apollo 11 neared its destination, astronauts performed a braking manoeuvre known as "lunar orbit insertion" to slow the spacecraft and cause it to go into orbit around the Moon. From there, Armstrong and Aldrin descended to the surface. A total of 10 lunar modules were sent into space and six landed humans on the moon.

Once used, the ascent stages of the capsules were jettisoned and either crash-landed on the moon, burned up in Earth's atmosphere, or - in one instance - went into orbit around the Sun. But where exactly they ended up is not known in every case.

The first two Lunar Modules were used in test flights and burned up in Earth's atmosphere. Apollo 10's Lunar Module, which went to the Moon but didn't land, was jettisoned into space and went into orbit around the Sun.

Apollo 13's Lunar Module performed a vital "lifeboat" role when that mission had to be aborted following an explosion. Most of the other modules - once they had safely returned astronauts back to the Command Module in lunar orbit - were dispatched to crash-land back on the surface.

The crash sites of most are known - but no-one is quite sure where the ascent stages of Apollo 11's module Eagle or Apollo 16's module Orion ended up. How did the US put the first men on the Moon? To the Moon and beyond. Image source, NASA. Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins practises in the simulator in June - one month before launch. Saturn V is still the largest and most powerful rocket ever built.

Interactive: Explore Apollo in 3D. Will humans be back on the Moon by ? Apollo's crew compartment was about the same size as a large car. It was no place for the claustrophobic. Armstrong and Aldrin collected They also performed ceremonial duties, including setting up a United States flag, unveiling a commemorative plaque on the lunar module, and having a brief conversation with President Richard Nixon.

During the moon landing, Collins remained in lunar orbit in the command module, Columbia. After just Altogether, Apollo 11 spent 2. The crew returned safely to Earth on July 24, landing in the Pacific Ocean southwest of Hawaii, after a flight of 8 days and 3 hours. Although scientists considered it unlikely that the Moon had life on it, the crew was kept in a biological quarantine for 21 days.

Post-mission analysis showed that the Apollo 11 samples consisted of two primary rock types. Basalt is formed by the solidification of molten magma. Although the photograph gives the impression of fiery destruction of the spacecraft, the ablative material was performing as it was designed to. By vaporizing and burning away, it protected the interior of the spacecraft from the searing heat caused by friction with the atmosphere. The astronauts were required to stay inside the facility in medical isolation for 21 days.

These extraordinary measures were a precaution against an uncertain threat of contagion. The moon proved to be barren of life so this post-flight procedure was dropped after the Apollo 14 mission.

The Biological Isolation Garment This garment was designed to prevent the spread of any alien organisms the astronauts might have acquired during their journey or while on the Moon. The suits were donned after splashdown and worn until the astronauts arrived at the Mobile Quarantine Facility aboard the recovery aircraft carrier. With the astronauts isolated inside, the facility was flown to Ellington Air Force Base.

Mobile Quarantine Facility The Apollo 11 crew, still under a day quarantine, are greeted by their spouses after arrival at Ellington Air Force Base. The astronauts are looking through the window of the Mobile Quarantine Facility. Left to right are Armstrong, Aldrin, and Collins.