Michael Collins Signed Apollo 11 Lunar Footprint Photograph.

COLLINS, Michael; Buzz Aldrin.

$3,000.00

Item Number: 135722

Rare large format photograph of Buzz Aldrin’s footprint on the lunar surface, taken by him on July 20, 1969 as the second person to set foot on the moon. Signed by Aldrin’s co-astronaut Michael Collins who flew the Command Module Columbia in lunar orbit during the historic Apollo 11 moon landing, “Michael Collins Apollo XI.” In fine condition. Double matted and framed. The entire piece measures 23 inches by 27 inches.

Commander Neil Armstrong and lunar module pilot Buzz Aldrin landed the Apollo Lunar Module Eagle on July 20, 1969, at 20:17 UTC, and Armstrong became the first person to step onto the Moon's surface six hours and 39 minutes later. Aldrin joined him 19 minutes later, and they spent roughly two hours together exploring the site they had named Tranquility Base upon landing. Armstrong's first step onto the lunar surface was broadcast on live TV to a worldwide audience. He described the event as "one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." Apollo 11 effectively proved US victory in the Space Race to demonstrate spaceflight superiority, by fulfilling a national goal proposed in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, "before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth."