Astronauts Mourn Neil Armstrong's Death on Twitter

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By Tariq Malik
published

Neil Armstrong performs moonwalk training for Apollo 11 mission.
Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong, wearing an Extravehicular Mobility Unit, participates in a simulation of deploying and using lunar tools on the surface of the moon during a training exercise in Building 9 on April 22, 1969. Armstrong is the commander of the Apollo 11 lunar landing mission. In the background is a Lunar Module mock-up. (Image credit: NASA)

The news of the iconic astronaut Neil Armstrong's death Saturday (Aug. 25) plunged American astronauts and spaceflyers around the world into mourning, with some expressing their sadness on Twitter.

Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon and commander of NASA's Apollo 11 lunar landing mission,  died at age 82 sue to complications from recent heart surgery, his family said. Armstrong had heart bypass surgery earlier this month to clear blocked arteries.

Many astronauts with NASA and other space agencies cited Armstrong as a major inspiration in their lives in their Twitter messages. Others reflected on the legendary astronaut's modesty, despite his global fame.

"I know I am joined by millions of others in mourning Neil's passing — a true American hero and the best pilot I ever knew," wrote Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin, who walked with Armstrong on the moon on July 20, 1969, in his Twitter post. He writes as @TheRealBuzz.

Several active and former NASA astronauts wrote that Armstrong inspired them to pursue dreams of flying in space.

"I am deeply saddened by the passing of Neil Armstrong," wrote former astronaut Leroy Chiao (@AstroDude),  four-time spaceflyer and commander the International Space Station. "He was my childhood hero, who inspired me to become an astronaut myself." [Photos: Neil Armstrong – American Icon Remembered]

Former shuttle astronaut Mae Jemison, the first African-American woman to fly in space, agreed.

"As young girl watching #NeilArmstrong step on the moon, the stars came a little bit closer & my world & expectations quite a bit larger," Jemison wrote as ‏@maejemison.

Apollo 11 astronauts trained on Earth to take individual photographs in succession in order to create a series of frames that could be assembled into panoramic images. This frame from Aldrin's panorama of the Apollo 11 landing site is the only good picture of mission commander Neil Armstrong on the lunar surface. (Image credit: NASA)

Christopher Ferguson, the commander of NASA's last space shuttle mission (STS-135 in July 2011), was touched by Armstrong's modest demeanor despite his great feats in space.

"Today we lost a legend," Ferguson wrote Saturday as @AstroFerg." Neil was a source of personal inspiration and a humble and unassuming American hero."

But Armstrong was more than just an American icon. His legacy reached out across the entire world, as astronauts from Japan, Canada and Europe pointed out.

"RIP #NeilArmstrong, the 1st moonwalker. He inspired me to fly high," wrote astronaut Soichi Noguchi of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (@Astro_Soichi), who included a photo of the moon in one of his two posts. " Salute to #NeilArmstrong, the 1st moonwalker. He inspired me deeply, long before I become spacewalker."

Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, who is currently training to command the International Space Station's Expedition 35 crew, cited Armstrong as an inspiration to all to excel.

"Neil Armstrong is one of my heroes. He inspired and challenged us all to work at the edges of what's possible. A life well-lived. RIP Neil," Hadfield wrote as @Cmdr_Hadfield.

Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong, Apollo 11 Commander, inside the Lunar Module as it rests on the lunar surface after completion of his historic moonwalk in July 1969. (Image credit: NASA)

Here are more astronaut reflections via Twitter mourning the death of Neil Armstrong:

NASA astronaut Ron Garan (‏@Astro_Ron)

Honor Neil Armstrong's example of service accomplishment + modesty Next time UC the moon think of Neil + #WinkAtTheMoon

European Space Agency astronaut Christer Fuglesang, of Sweden (@CFuglesang)

I'm sad. Neil Armstrong, 1st on Moon, incredible astronaut, fantastic person has passed away. I was very impressed the few times I met him.

NASA astronaut Leland Melvin (@AstroFlow)

Rest In Peace CDR Armstrong.

ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, of Italy (@AstroSamantha)

I'm grateful for this recent, one-hour interview w/ #NeilArmstrong. A man w/ so much to teach! http://thebottomline.cpaaustralia.com.au/

NASA astronaut Mike Foreman (@foreman_mike)

Definitely a sad day. He was a great American hero.

NASA astronaut Dorothy Lindenburger ‏(@AstroDot)

The astronaut family lost many this year, but each member contributed and lived so fully that ALL of the world has gained.

NASA astronaut Nicole Stott (‏@Astro_Nicole)

Neil Armstrong -his 1 small step will inspire generations to come. "the dream remains -there are places to go beyond belief."

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Tariq Malik
Tariq Malik
Editor-in-Chief

Tariq is the Editor-in-Chief of Space.com and joined the team in 2001, first as an intern and staff writer, and later as an editor. He covers human spaceflight, exploration and space science, as well as skywatching and entertainment. He became Space.com's Managing Editor in 2009 and Editor-in-Chief in 2019. Before joining Space.com, Tariq was a staff reporter for The Los Angeles Times covering education and city beats in La Habra, Fullerton and Huntington Beach. In October 2022, Tariq received the Harry Kolcum Award for excellence in space reporting from the National Space Club Florida Committee. He is also an Eagle Scout (yes, he has the Space Exploration merit badge) and went to Space Camp four times as a kid and a fifth time as an adult. He has journalism degrees from the University of Southern California and New York University. You can find Tariq at Space.com and as the co-host to the This Week In Space podcast with space historian Rod Pyle on the TWiT network. To see his latest project, you can follow Tariq on Twitter @tariqjmalik.