The text discusses the historical and ongoing significance of the Apollo 11 mission, which marked the first time humans stepped on the moon. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were the first to step on the moon, but Michael Collins, who remained in lunar orbit, played a crucial role in the mission. His job was to ensure the safe return of the other two astronauts to Earth.
The text then shifts to the present, discussing the work of Andrea Boyd, an Australian engineer who works at the European Space Agency's mission control. She communicates with the astronauts living on the International Space Station, supports their activities, and helps solve problems on Earth that impact their operations in space.
The piece ends with a discussion about the future of space travel. Michael Collins suggests that future missions should aim directly for Mars, rather than making a stop at the moon. He argues that this mission is essential for the future of humankind, as it satisfies our inherent curiosity and desire to explore and understand the unknown.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The year 2019 marked the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission.
2. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were the first humans to walk on the moon.
3. Michael Collins was the third astronaut on the Apollo 11 mission and piloted the command module in lunar orbit.
4. Collins' job was to stay on board the command module while Armstrong and Aldrin collected moon rocks.
5. Collins had the most important job of all, which was to bring Armstrong and Aldrin safely back home.
6. The re-docking of the lunar module was a tricky maneuver that required precise execution.
7. If the re-docking failed, Collins would not have been able to rescue Armstrong and Aldrin.
8. The three astronauts were initially treated like aliens after returning to Earth and were put into quarantine for two weeks.
9. The scientists were worried about the pathogens that the astronauts might have brought back from the moon.
10. The astronauts were placed in a hermetically sealed container with a colony of white mice to test for any potential dangers.
11. The white mice lived, and the astronauts were deemed safe.
12. Andrea Boyd is an Australian engineer who works at the European Space Agency's mission control in Cologne, Germany.
13. Boyd is a flight controller who supports the astronauts living on the International Space Station.
14. The International Space Station has been orbiting the Earth for nearly 20 years.
15. The space station is about the size of a five-bedroom house and has four bedrooms worth of science laboratories.
16. The astronauts on the space station see 16 sunrises and sunsets per day.
17. Michael Collins believes that we need to think further beyond the moon and that Mars should be our next destination.
18. Collins thinks that going back to the moon is an interesting detour, but we should set sail directly for Mars.
19. Collins believes that exploring space is essential for the future of humankind.
20. He thinks that humans are curious and want to explore infinity, and that space travel is a part of being human.