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- Collins was part of the three-member crew on Apollo 11 that carried out the first-ever lunar landing mission in 1969.
- “He spent his final days peacefully, with his family by his side. Mike always faced the challenges of life with grace and humility, and faced this, his final challenge, in the same way,” Collins’ family said.
- Unlike Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, who became the first humans to walk on the Moon, Collins stayed behind and piloted the Columbia command module as it orbited 65 miles above the lunar surface.
American astronaut Michael Collins, who piloted Apollo 11’s mission to the moon, died Wednesday at the age of 90, according to a statement from his family.
Collins was part of the three-member crew on Apollo 11 that carried out the first-ever lunar landing mission on July 20, 1969. His family announced he passed away after fighting cancer.
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“We regret to share that our beloved father and grandfather passed away today after a valiant battle with cancer,” the statement said.
“He spent his final days peacefully, with his family by his side. Mike always faced the challenges of life with grace and humility, and faced this, his final challenge, in the same way,” the statement said.
NASA posted a video honoring Collins via Twitter calling the former astronaut an “advocate for exploration.”
“Today the nation lost a true pioneer and lifelong advocate for exploration in astronaut Michael Collins,” acting NASA Administrator Steve Jurczyk said in a statement.
“As pilot of the Apollo 11 command module – some called him ‘the loneliest man in history’ – while his colleagues walked on the Moon for the first time, he helped our nation achieve a defining milestone,” he said.
Unlike Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, who became the first humans to walk on the Moon, Collins — often referred to as the “forgotten astronaut” stayed behind and piloted the Columbia command module as it orbited 65 miles above the lunar surface.
A plaque left on the moon reading “We came in peace for all mankind,” was signed by Armstrong, Aldrin, Collins and former President Nixon.
Collins retired from the Air Force as a major general and left NASA in 1970. In 1971 he joined the Smithsonian Institution as director of the National Air and Space Museum and oversaw its construction and opening in 1976. Collins went on to author several books about space.
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