Credit: NASA
 

On 25 August 2012, Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the Moon during NASA’s 1969 Apollo 11 mission, died at 82, following complications resulting from cardiovascular procedures.

Armstrong was an astronaut, test pilot, aeronautical engineer, university professor and navy pilot. Before becoming an astronaut, Armstrong was a United States Navy officer and had fought in the Korean War. After the war, he joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), later NASA, as a test pilot, logging over 900 flights. He graduated from Purdue University and the University of Southern California. Armstrong is survived by his wife, two sons, a stepson, a stepdaughter, 10 grandchildren, and a brother and sister.

"That is one small step for (a) man, one giant leap for mankind," said Armstrong, on 20 July 1969, when he set foot on the Moon.

"Neil Armstrong was a hero not just of his time, but of all time," said US President Barack Obama via Twitter. "Thank you, Neil, for showing us the power of one small step."

"As long as there are history books, Neil Armstrong will be included in them, remembered for taking humankind's first small step on a world beyond our own," said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden.

“Besides being one of America’s greatest explorers," Bolden added, "Neil carried himself with a grace and humility that was an example to us all."

Buzz Aldrin, Apollo 11 lunar module pilot and Armstrong’s companion moonwalker, said on Armstrong's passing: “I am very saddened to learn of the passing of Neil Armstrong today. Neil and I trained together as technical partners but were also good friends who will always be connected through our participation in the Apollo 11 mission. Whenever I look at the moon it reminds me of the moment over four decades ago when I realized that even though we were farther away from earth than two humans had ever been, we were not alone."

Michael Collins, Apollo 11 command module pilot, said “He was the best, and I will miss him terribly.”

Further Reading:

President Barack Obama’s Statement
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/08/25/statement-president-passing-neil-armstrong

NASA Administrator Statement
http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2012/aug/HQ_12-601_Bolden_Statement.html 

References:

NASA
www.nasa.gov/
Encyclopedia Britannica
Wikipedia
 

Aymen Mohamed Ibrahem
Senior Astronomy Specialist