Neil Armstrong was the first human to ever stand on the lunar surface. During two-plus hours of surface exploration on July 20, 1969, the crew set up experiments, collected 47 pounds of lunar surface material for analysis on Earth, planted the U.S. Flag, and left a message for all mankind. In this photo, Armstrong is removing scientific equipment from a storage bay of the Lunar Module. (Credit: NASA)
On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first human to step foot on the Moon, the highlight of the Apollo 11 mission.
Armstrong left his indelible footprint 14 years after he graduated with a degree in aeronautical engineering from Purdue, a university that provided not only the technical education Armstrong needed to achieve such giant leaps but also a socially enriching environment that led him to cherish his time at the school until his death in 2012.
In 2019, Purdue celebrates the 50th year anniversary of Apollo 11, Armstrong’s considerable role in the mission, and the mark he made on the University. Purdue's School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Purdue's Archives and Special Collections, and Purdue's Libraries will commemorate the historic event by sharing stories from the Purdue aerospace engineering community, including faculty, alumni, and students, as well artifacts from Purdue Archives and Special Collections. The posts will be on various social media platforms each Monday with the hashtag #MoonLandingMonday.
To learn more about Purdue’s role in space exploration and more:
