Michael Collins: ‘The Forgotten Astronaut?’
A tribute to the man who died on this day … April 29th
I write this short tribute on the day of Michael’s passing. The man who piloted Apollo 11’s Command Module ‘Columbia’ on NASA’s mission to put a man on the moon, died today, April 29, 2021.
Michael Collins is far from being ‘The Forgotten Astronaut’.
In September 1969 he was the key figure; lynch-pin of the Apollo 11 Mission. It was Collins who circled the moon whilst the other two astronauts descended onto the moon’s surface in the Lunar Module ‘Eagle’.
It was Collins who received them back; who saw that all three returned safely to earth. The Forgotten Astronaut? No-way!
NASA posted a statement on Michael’s passing. Here is an extract:
“Today the nation lost a true pioneer and lifelong advocate for exploration in astronaut Michael Collins. As pilot of the Apollo 11 command module, some called him ‘the loneliest man in history’, while his colleagues walked on the Moon for the first time, he helped our nation achieve a defining milestone … There is no doubt he inspired a new generation of scientists, engineers, test pilots, and astronauts … NASA mourns the loss of this accomplished pilot and astronaut, a friend of all who seek to push the envelope of…
