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Astronaut Michael Collins dies, "the loneliest man in history"

2021-05-01T13:16:55.202Z


As billions of people traveled through space on Earth, and his two companions from 'Apollo 11' explored the Moon, Collins was left flying "alone, truly alone, and absolutely cut off from any known life."


By Denise Chow - NBC News

Astronaut Michael Collins, a member of the

Apollo 11

mission

, died at age 90, his family reported Wednesday. 

While Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin put the first human footprints on the Moon, Collins stayed to pilot the command module, circling about 60 miles above the lunar surface. Collins

never set foot on the lunar surface

, but his work also contributed to the most famous space mission in history.

"We regret to share that our beloved father and grandfather passed away today after a valiant battle against cancer," Collins' family said in a statement posted on the social network Twitter. "

He spent his last days in peace

, with his family by his side. Mike always faced the challenge of life with grace and humility, and he faced this, his last challenge, in the same way. We will miss him very much. However, We also know how lucky Mike felt to have lived the life he did, "he added. 

Collins was known for his quiet and low-key character, and in recent years he

had become an active voice on social media

, sharing "his wise perspective gained both by looking down at Earth from space and gazing at calm waters from the deck of his fishing boat, "said his family.

NASA honored Collins

, highlighting his distinguished career and inspiring generations of explorers.

 [NASA's first manned space mission takes off with a recycled SpaceX rocket and capsule]

"

Today the nation lost a true pioneer

and advocate of exploration throughout his life," NASA Acting Administrator Steve Jurczyk said in a statement.

"Whether his work is behind the scenes or in full view, his legacy will always be that of one of the leaders who took the first steps in the cosmos. And his spirit will accompany us as we venture into more distant horizons." .

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Collins was born in Italy in 1930. After graduating from West Point Military Academy, he served as a fighter pilot and experimental test pilot at Edwards Air Force Base, California, from 1958 to 1963.

He was selected by NASA to be an astronaut in 1963

.

Its maiden flight was a three-day mission aboard the

Gemini 10

spacecraft

, which took off on July 18, 1966. The expedition conducted a docking test and a double encounter in orbit, and during the flight, Collins became the third person in US history to go on a spacewalk.

[Two NASA astronauts enter the International Space Station after traveling with a SpaceX spacecraft]

The

Apollo 11

was the second flight to the space Collins.

In his bestselling memoir,

Carrying the Fire: An Astronaut's Journey

,

Collins reflected in 1974 on his lonely time in orbit around the Moon, an experience that led some to call him "the loneliest man in history."

"I am alone now, truly alone, and absolutely cut off from any known life," Collins wrote, "if a count were made, the score would be 3 billion plus two on the other side of the moon, and one more God knows what on this side".

Collins retired from NASA in 1970

.

After leaving the space agency, he was director of the National Air and Space Museum and undersecretary of the Smithsonian Institution.

Source: telemundo

All news articles on 2021-05-01

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