Surface Operations

Two and a half hours on the surface were packed with work: raising the flag, unveiling the commemorative plaque, a phone call with the President, setting up experiments, and collecting 21.55 kg of samples.

The astronauts deployed the EASEP experiment package: a passive seismometer to measure moonquakes and a laser retroreflector, which scientists still use today to measure the Earth-Moon distance. They unveiled a plaque reading "We came in peace for all mankind" and raised the American flag — its fabric held out by an aluminum rod, since no wind blows on the Moon.

Armstrong made a brief run to East crater, about 60 meters from the module — the farthest he ever ventured. Aldrin tested different modes of movement for future missions. Samples were collected using special tongs and scoops, since the spacesuit did not allow bending down.