In Photos: Buzz Aldrin, Apollo 11 Moonwalker and Astronaut Icon

By Tariq Malik
published

Neil Armstrong on the Moon

NASA

The only full-body photograph of Neil Armstrong on the moon shows him working at the Apollo 11 lunar module "Eagle" on July 20, 1969. The first man to set foot on the lunar surface was inadvertently captured on film by Buzz Aldrin, who was tasked with taking a series of panoramic photos.

Buzz Aldrin on the Moon

NASA

Buzz Aldrin deploys a seismometer in the Sea of Tranquility.

How the Apollo 11 Mission Worked (Infographic)

Karl Tate/SPACE.com

NASA's historic Apollo 11 moon mission landed the first astronauts on the lunar surface on July 20, 1969. See how the mission worked in this Space.com infographic.

Nixon Welcomes Neil Armstrong and Apollo 11 Crew

NASA

President Richard M. Nixon was in the central Pacific recovery area to welcome the Apollo 11 astronauts aboard the USS Hornet, prime recovery ship for the historic Apollo 11 lunar landing mission. Already confined to the Mobile Quarantine Facility (MQF) are (left to right) Neil A. Armstrong, commander; Michael Collins, command module pilot; and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr., lunar module pilot. Apollo 11 splashed down at 11:49 a.m. (CDT), July 24, 1969, about 812 nautical miles southwest of Hawaii and only 12 nautical miles from the USS Hornet.

Moonwalker Buzz Aldrin Risks Elimination as 'Dancing With the Stars' Score 'Craters'

ABC

For their second dance together, Buzz Aldrin and Ashly Costa perform the Foxtrot to the song "Fly Me to the Moon" on "Dancing with the Stars."

NYC Parade for Apollo 11 Moon Landing Crew

NASA

http://www.space.com/17299-photos-neil-armstrong-first-moonwalker-icon.html

Buzz Aldrin and Stephen Hawking team up

Buzz Aldrin and Stephen Hawking

Former astronaut Buzz Aldrin and astrophysicist Stephen Hawking are teaming up to help advance humanity's future in space.

Buzz Aldrin Moonwalks for 'Dancing with the Stars' Debut

ABC

Buzz Aldrin and Ashly Costa strike a pose as they complete their first live routine on "Dancing with the Stars" on March 22, 2010.

Space Fans Save Astronaut Buzz Aldrin From 'Dancing With the Stars' Elimination

ABC

Buzz Aldrin and Ashly Costa react March 30, 2010 to the news they are "safe to dance again" on "Dancing with the Stars."

Buzz Aldrin Gets the Moon-Boot on 'Dancing with the Stars'

ABC

Buzz Aldrin offers a parting salute after being eliminated from ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" on Tuesday, April 6, 2010.

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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.