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Michael Collins, the "forgotten" astronaut from the historic landing on the moon, has died at the age of 90

The American pilot waited 21 hours in the spacecraft as Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin first stepped on the moon on July 20, 1969 during the historic Apollo 11 mission.

"You will always carry us to new heights and to the future," Aldrin, the only one of the three survivors, praised him.

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Wednesday, 28 April 2021, 20:41

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Collins Panel in Florida, 2019 (Photo: Reuters)

American astronaut Michael Collins died today (Wednesday) at the age of 90 - the family of the pilot of the historic Apollo 11 mission, left behind when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were the first humans on the moon on July 20, 1969. His family said he died of cancer.

Collins, sometimes referred to as the "forgotten" astronaut, was left in the cockpit alone for 21 hours, until Armstrong and Aldrin returned to the spacecraft.

He lost touch with control officers in Houston every time the spacecraft orbited the dark side of the moon.

"Dear Mike, wherever you have been or wherever you are, it will always be the fire to carry us quietly to new heights and the future," Aldrin praised him on Twitter the only one of the three left alive.

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Collins during a simulator at the Florida Space Center, 1969 (Photo: Reuters)

Acting U.S. Space Agency Director Steve Yurchik praised Collins as a "true pioneer."

NASA is mourning the loss of the outstanding pilot and astronaut, a friend of one who wanted to push the limits of human capability.

His spirit will accompany us as we embark on adventures in distant horizons, "

Collins

said in a statement.

Collins was born in Rome on October 31, 1930 - the same year his two comrades were born on the voyage. Many of the first generation of American astronauts, Collins began as a test pilot in the Air Force.

Apollo 11 team: Aldrin, Collins and Armstrong (Photo: Reuters)

In 1963, NASA selected it for its space program, which was in its infancy before gaining momentum at the height of the Cold War, as the United States sought to overtake the Soviet Union and fulfill President John F. Kennedy's vision of landing a man on the moon by the end of the decade.

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