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Michael Collins
1930–2021 · Astronaut
Michael Collins was an American astronaut and test pilot who served as Apollo 11 command module pilot, piloting Columbia in lunar orbit while Armstrong and Aldrin walked on the Moon.
“It's a terrible feeling to be isolated, but it's the only way to get things done.”
Why is this scientist famous?
Serving as Apollo 11 command module pilot, remaining in lunar orbit aboard Columbia while Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the Moon.
Michael's story
From West Point to Test Pilot
Michael Collins was born on 31 October 1930 in Rome, Italy, where his father was stationed with the US military. He graduated from the US Military Academy at West Point in 1952 and entered the US Air Force.
Collins became a fighter pilot and later a test pilot. He was selected for NASA's third astronaut group in 1963.
Gemini X
In 1966, Collins flew on Gemini X with John Young. The mission carried out rendezvous and docking operations, and Collins performed two EVAs — spacewalks outside the spacecraft.
His two spacewalks during Gemini X demonstrated important techniques for working in space.
Apollo 11
In 1969, Collins served as command module pilot on Apollo 11. He piloted the command module Columbia in lunar orbit.
While Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin descended in the lunar module Eagle to walk on the Moon, Collins remained aboard Columbia. After Eagle returned from the lunar surface, the spacecraft rendezvoused in lunar orbit before the crew returned to Earth.
Collins's role was essential to the mission but different from that of the two Moon walkers. He did not land on or walk on the Moon. Collins himself rejected the idea that he had felt unusually lonely while orbiting the far side of the Moon.
Apollo 11 was a three-person crew supported by a much larger NASA and contractor programme. Collins received the Presidential Medal of Freedom as a member of the Apollo 11 crew in 1969.
Museum Leader
Collins left NASA in 1970. He served as Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs from 1970 to 1971.
Collins then became director of the National Air and Space Museum from 1971 to 1978. He helped oversee completion and opening of the museum's National Mall building in 1976. He later served as Under Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution from 1978 to 1980.
Collins died on 28 April 2021, aged 90.
What did they discover?
Gemini X Rendezvous and EVAs
In 1966, Collins flew Gemini X with John Young, performing rendezvous and docking operations and completing two EVAs.
Apollo 11 Command Module Pilot
Collins piloted Columbia in lunar orbit during Apollo 11, remaining aboard while Armstrong and Aldrin landed on the Moon. After Eagle returned, the spacecraft rendezvoused in lunar orbit.
Director of the National Air and Space Museum
Collins served as director of the National Air and Space Museum from 1971 to 1978, helping oversee the opening of its National Mall building in 1976.
Amazing facts
Collins was born in Rome while his father was stationed in Italy.
He performed two spacewalks during Gemini X.
He remained alone aboard Columbia while Armstrong and Aldrin were on the lunar surface.
He later became director of the National Air and Space Museum.
He helped oversee the opening of the museum's National Mall building in 1976.
Timeline
Born in Rome, Italy.
Graduated from West Point and entered the US Air Force.
Selected for NASA's third astronaut group.
Flew Gemini X with John Young; performed two EVAs.
Served as Apollo 11 command module pilot.
Left NASA.
Became director of the National Air and Space Museum.
National Mall museum building opened.
Ended term as museum director.
Died aged 90.
