Why Did Neil Armstrong Get to Be the First to Walk on the Moon?

TL;DR

Neil Armstrong was chosen to be the first person on the moon due to the design of the Apollo spacecraft's hatch, his "one small step" line was pre-planned, and President Nixon had a speech ready in case of a moon disaster.

Transcript

On July 20th, 1969, with “one small step,” Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on the moon. Since that date forty five years ago, the moon landing has been the subject of intense study and historical analysis. From what Armstrong actually said with his first step to if the American flags the astronauts planted are still there, mankind’s... Read More

Key Insights

• 🧑 Buzz Aldrin campaigned to be the first person on the moon but was not chosen.
• 🐣 The design of the Apollo spacecraft's hatch influenced the decision to have Armstrong exit first.
• 😑 Neil Armstrong's famous line was pre-planned and shared with his brother.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why was Neil Armstrong chosen to be the first person on the moon?

Neil Armstrong was chosen because the design of the Apollo spacecraft's hatch made it easier for him to exit first, and he was also more senior than Buzz Aldrin in the astronaut program.

Q: Did Neil Armstrong plan his famous "one small step" line?

According to his brother, Neil pre-planned the line and shared it with him during a game of Risk. However, Aldrin and Collins have stated that Armstrong never shared his thoughts about what he would say.

Q: What was the second thing said on the moon?

The second line spoken on the moon was about the fine, powdery surface and the adherence of the lunar soil to the astronauts' boots.

Q: Was President Nixon prepared for a possible moon disaster?

Yes, President Nixon had a speech prepared in case of a "moon disaster" where the crew of Apollo 11 could not return. The speech was chilling and included instructions for before and after the address to the nation.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins were the official crew of Apollo 11.

• Armstrong was chosen to be the first to walk on the moon because of the design of the Eagle's hatch.

• Armstrong's famous line was pre-planned and shared with his brother, while the second thing said on the moon was about the surface and movement.