One Giant Leap

The moon landing fulfilled an ambitious goal set by President John F. Kennedy in 1961. He called for the U.S. to send an astronaut to the moon and return him home by the end of the decade. The Apollo program was created to accomplish that goal.

The program had a tragic beginning, however. In 1967, the first Apollo mission ended when the spacecraft caught fire, killing all three astronauts on board. Still, NASA, the U.S. space agency, pressed on. Each mission that followed brought U.S. astronauts closer to a moon landing. Apollo 11 would be the first to attempt to land on the lunar surface.

The moon landing fulfilled an ambitious goal set by President John F. Kennedy in 1961. He called for the U.S. to send an astronaut to the moon and return him home by the end of the decade. The Apollo program was created to accomplish that goal.

The program had a tragic beginning, however. In 1967, the first Apollo mission ended when the spacecraft caught fire. All three astronauts on board were killed. Still, NASA, the U.S. space agency, pressed on. Each mission that followed brought U.S. astronauts closer to a moon landing. Apollo 11 would be the first to attempt to land on the lunar surface.

On July 16, 1969, a rocket carrying Armstrong, Aldrin, and crewmate Michael Collins blasted off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Three days later and more than 200,000 miles from home, Armstrong and Aldrin climbed into a part of the spacecraft called the Eagle. It separated from the main ship and headed toward the moon’s surface.

But the landing almost ended in disaster. About 2,000 feet from the surface, Armstrong noticed a problem: They were headed for a giant crater surrounded by boulders and had only seconds to find a new landing spot. At the controls, Armstrong quickly changed the ship’s trajectory. The spacecraft safely touched down just before it ran out of fuel.

“The Eagle has landed,” Armstrong told NASA’s mission control.

On July 16, 1969, a rocket carrying Armstrong, Aldrin, and crewmate Michael Collins blasted off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Three days later, they were more than 200,000 miles from home. Armstrong and Aldrin climbed into a part of the spacecraft called the Eagle. It separated from the main ship. They headed toward the moon’s surface.

But the landing almost ended in disaster. About 2,000 feet from the surface, Armstrong noticed a problem. They were headed for a giant crater surrounded by boulders. They had only seconds to find a new landing spot. At the controls, Armstrong quickly changed the ship’s trajectory. The spacecraft safely touched down just before it ran out of fuel.

“The Eagle has landed,” Armstrong told NASA’s mission control.

The world watched as Aldrin and Armstrong walked across the unexplored frontier. They planted an American flag in the moon’s powdery soil. The duo also conducted experiments and collected dirt and rocks for scientists to study back on Earth.

After just over two hours, the astronauts climbed back into the Eagle. Soon they rejoined Collins on the main ship. On July 24, their space capsule safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean.

The world watched as Aldrin and Armstrong walked across the unexplored frontier. They planted an American flag in the moon’s powdery soil. The duo also conducted experiments. They collected dirt and rocks for scientists to study back on Earth.

After just over two hours, the astronauts climbed back into the Eagle. Soon they rejoined Collins on the main ship. On July 24, their space capsule safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean. 

Apollo 11 marked a new era in space exploration. Right now, six astronauts live and work on the International Space Station, more than 200 miles above Earth. Wheeled robots, called rovers, have roamed Mars since 1997. NASA hopes to send astronauts there during the 2030s.

The moon landing also inspired a new generation to look to the stars. As for 11-year-old Bill Barry, he decided he wanted to join the space program when he grew up. Today, he is the chief historian at NASA. In his job, he shares stories about the July day 50 years ago when the impossible became possible.

Apollo 11 marked a new era in space exploration. Right now, six astronauts live and work on the International Space Station. It’s more than 200 miles above Earth. Wheeled robots, called rovers, have roamed Mars since 1997. NASA hopes to send astronauts there during the 2030s.

The moon landing also inspired a new generation to look to the stars. Eleven-year-old Bill Barry decided he wanted to join the space program when he grew up. Today, he is the chief historian at NASA. In his job, he shares stories about the July day 50 years ago when the impossible became possible.

1. Explain the meaning of Neil Armstrong’s famous quote “That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.”

2. What was the purpose of the Apollo program?

3. How are the sections “Danger Ahead” and “Moon Walking” different?

1. Explain the meaning of Neil Armstrong’s famous quote “That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.”

2. What was the purpose of the Apollo program?

3. How are the sections “Danger Ahead” and “Moon Walking” different?