Cosmonaut / Astronaut

Michael Collins

Remained in lunar orbit, circling the Moon 30 times. Later served as director of the National Air and Space Museum.

Missions

Spaceflights

16 July 1969

The first crewed landing on the Moon. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed in the Sea of Tranquility while Michael Collins waited in orbit.

Timeline

Facts

While Armstrong and Aldrin descended to the Moon, Collins remained alone in lunar orbit. Columbia completed 30 lunar orbits over the entire mission.
On each pass behind the far side of the Moon he was out of contact with Earth — the loneliest man in history.

Crews