Space Mission
Apollo 11, July 16-24, 1969, 109:41:56 GET
Photographer
Neil Armstrong
Photo Description
Vintage chromogenic print on fiber-based Kodak paper, 20.3 x 25.4cm (8 x 10in), with NASA HQ caption numbered “AS11-40-5866” and “A Kodak Paper” watermarks on the verso
20.3 x 25.4cm (8 x 10in)
Essay
An eager Aldrin joins Armstrong on the Moon 19 minutes later.
He is jumping down to the top rung of the ladder. On his back rides a Portable Life Support System (PLSS) with oxygen for breathing, water for cooling, an electric power supply, and radio equipment.
109:41:28 Aldrin: Okay. Now I want to back up and partially close the hatch. (Long Pause) Making sure not to lock it on my way out.
109:41:53 Armstrong: (Laughs) A particularly good thought.
109:41:56 Aldrin: That’s our home for the next couple of hours and we want to take good care of it. (Pause) Okay. I’m on the top step and I can look down over the RCU (Remote Control Unit) and (garbled) landing gear pads. It’s a very simple matter to hop down from one step to the next.
109:42:18 Armstrong: Yes. I found I could be very comfortable, and walking is also very comfortable.
“Okay. Now I want to back up and partially close the hatch. (Long Pause) Making sure not to lock it on my way out.”
Buzz Aldrin