Apollo 11 Mission Commentary

Mss.629.1388.Un33a

Date: 1903-1962 | Size: 2 volume(s), 54 p.

Abstract

The spacecraft Apollo 11 blasted off from Cape Kennedy, Fla., on July 16, 1969, with the mission to become the first to "perform a manned lunar landing and return." After entering lunar orbit on July 20, the landing module Eagle separated from the command module Columbia (piloted by Michael Collins) and descended to the lunar surface. Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin E. (Buzz) Aldrin made a soft landing in the Sea of Tranquility, and following a quick meal -- but postponing a scheduled sleep -- they exited to become the first men to walk on the surface of the moon. The Apollo 11 collection contains transcripts of communications between Mission Control in Houston, Tex., and the astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin during the first landing on the moon, July 20, 1969. Divided into two segments, both titled "Apollo 11 Mission Commentary," these transcripts includes a record of transmissions during the landing itself (27p.) and during the first moonwalk (27p.). Both are autographed by Armstrong.

Background note

The spacecraft Apollo 11 blasted off from Cape Kennedy, Fla., on July 16, 1969, with the mission to become the first to "perform a manned lunar landing and return." After entering lunar orbit on July 20, the landing module Eagle separated from the command module Columbia (piloted by Michael Collins) and descended to the lunar surface. Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin E. (Buzz) Aldrin made a soft landing in the Sea of Tranquility, and following a quick meal -- but postponing a scheduled sleep -- they exited to become the first men to walk on the surface of the moon.

In over two hours on the surface, Armstrong and Collins collected rock samples, made a photographic record of the landing site, and conducted a number of scientific experiments before reentering Eagle. Departing the moon on July 22, they returned to earth to splash down in the Pacific Ocean on July 24.

Scope and content

The Apollo 11 collection contains transcripts of communications between Mission Control in Houston, Tex., and the astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin during the first landing on the moon, July 20, 1969. Divided into two segments, both titled "Apollo 11 Mission Commentary," these transcripts includes a record of transmissions during the landing itself (27p.) and during the first moonwalk (27p.). Both are autographed by Armstrong.

Digital objects note

This collection contains digital materials that are available in the APS Digital Library. Links to these materials are provided with context in the inventory of this finding aid. A general listing of digital objects may also be found here.

Collection Information

Physical description

2 vols., 54p.

2 vols., 54p.

Provenance

Acquired from Interlibrum, 1976.

Preferred citation

Cite as: U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Apollo 11 Mission Commentary, American Philosophical Society.

Processing information

Recatalogued by rsc, 2003.

Related material

The official records of all the Apollo missions are available through NASA.

Indexing Terms


Genre(s)

  • Transcripts

Personal Name(s)

  • Aldrin, Buzz, 1930-
  • Armstrong, Neil, 1930-2012

Subject(s)

  • Apollo 11 (Spacecraft)
  • Moon -- Exploration