Neil Armstrong Facts for Kids

Neil Armstrong, an American astronaut was the first person who walked on the moon on July 20, 1969. It was one of the biggest achievements in the field of astronomy.

Early Life: –

He was born on August 5, 1930. His full name is Neil Alden Armstrong. He realized his love and passion for flying at an early age. He earned his pilot’s license when he was only 16 years old, even before getting a driving license. In 1947, he enrolled in aeronautical engineering at Purdue University on a U.S. Navy scholarship.

Initial Career: –

He started his career as a test pilot after graduating from college. Other than that, he was a naval aviator, aero-space engineer and university professor.

Facts –

In 1949, Armstrong had served in the Korean War for the US navy. He flew 78 missions over Korea. His total time in the air was 121 hours.
He earned his release from the active service in Korean War in 1952 and went back to college.
In 1955, he joined NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics) as an engineer.
This government agency later became NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).
He tested many high-speed aircraft, including the X-15, which could reach a top speed of 4,000 miles per hour.
Gemini 8 was the first space mission for Neil Armstrong. He was the command pilot. He took on a teaching role for Gemini 11.
He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor a civilian can earn from the US government.
On December 23, 1968, Armstrong was offered the command of the Apollo 11, the first manned landing on the moon.
He exited the Lunar Module at 10:56 PM on July 20, 1969 and took the first step on the moon.
After surveying the moon’s surface, he collected a bag of dust so that NASA scientists back on the Earth can examine it.
This bag was sold by Chicago resident Nancy Lee Carlson in 2017 for $1.8 million in an auction. She herself bought this bag for $995 from a government auction.
Neil Armstrong and his fellow astronauts from Apollo 11 mission had to spend three weeks in Quarantine.
He remained with NASA until 1971. Then he joined the faculty of the University of Cincinnati as a professor of Aerospace Engineering and worked for 8 years.
In 1986, Armstrong served as vice chairman of the Presidential Commission on the space shuttle Challenger
This Presidential Commission investigated the explosion of the Challenger on January 28, 1986.
He also served as the chairman of Computing Technologies for Aviation, Inc., from 1982 to 1992.
His famous quote is, “It is one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind”. Armstrong said these words when he took the first step on the moon.
The space suit that the astronaut wore to his moon landing mission was made by Playtex.
This spacesuit insulated the astronaut against the harsh void of space when he made his famous touchdown.
Armstrong called his space suit for this mission reliable and even cuddly.
He once sued Hallmark because the company used his name and likeness without permission for a 1994 Christmas ornament.
Although he preferred to lead a private life but for a 1979 Super Bowl commercial spot, he agreed to appear on camera endorsing Chrysler automobiles.
Neil Armstrong died On August 25, 2012 due to complications from a heart surgery.

Question & Answers: –

Ques. What is Neil Armstrong well-known for?

Ans. Being the first man to set foot on the moon.

Ques. When did Neil Armstrong walk on the moon?

Ans. On July 20, 1969

Ques. When did he enter the NASA astronaut program?

Ans. In 1962

Ques. What was Armstrong’s first mission as an astronaut?

Ans. Gemini VIII was his first mission and he served as the command pilot.

Ques. Who were his fellow astronauts on the Apollo 11 Mission?

Ans. Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin

Ques. How much time did Apollo 11 astronauts spent in the Quarantine?

Ans. Three weeks.

Ques. In which war did Neil Armstrong serve as a fighter pilot in the US Navy?

Ans. Korean War

Ques. What was the name of the lunar module which landed Armstrong and his crew on the moon?

Ans. The Eagle

Ques. How old was Neil Armstrong when he took his first airplane ride?

Ans. He was six years old at that time.

List of People who Landed on the Moon: –

Astronaut Name	Landing Date	Mission Name
Neil Armstrong	July 21, 1969	Apollo 11
Buzz Aldrin	July 21, 1969	Apollo 11
Pete Conrad	November 19–20, 1969	Apollo 12
Alan Bean	November 19–20, 1969	Apollo 12
Alan Shepard	February 5–6, 1971	Apollo 14
Edgar Mitchell	February 5–6, 1971	Apollo 14
David Scott	July 31–August 2, 1971	Apollo 15
James Irwin	July 31–August 2, 1971	Apollo 15
John Young	April 21–23, 1972	Apollo 16
Charles Duke	April 21–23, 1972	Apollo 16
Gene Cernan	December 11–14, 1972	Apollo 17
Harrison Schmitt	December 11–14, 1972	Apollo 17