Footage of Armstrong’s first steps on the moon captivated television audiences around the world and remain some of the most iconic television scenes of all time.
Armstrong was born in Wapakoneta, Ohio, on August 5, 1930.
He joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (the forerunner to NASA) in 1955 after serving as a naval pilot.
As a NASA research pilot he flew a number of pioneering highs-peed aircraft, including the X-15.
He became an astronaut in 1962 and was assigned as command pilot for the Gemini 8 mission on which he performed the first successful docking of two vehicles in space.
But it was Armstrong’s involvement with the Apollo 11 mission and his status as the first man to land a craft on the moon and step on its surface that would cement his place in history.
In the years after his trip to the moon Armstrong held leadership posts at NASA and served as professor at the University of Cincinnati, Chairman of Computing Technologies for Aviation Inc. and later as Chairman of AIL Systems Inc.
In a statement published by NASA, Armstrong’s family said: “While we mourn the loss of a very good man, we also celebrate his remarkable life and hope that it serves as an example to young people around the world to work hard to make their dreams come true, to be willing to explore and push the limits, and to selflessly serve a cause greater than themselves.
“For those who may ask what they can do to honor Neil, we have a simple request. Honor his example of service, accomplishment and modesty, and the next time you walk outside on a clear night and see the moon smiling down at you, think of Neil Armstrong and give him a wink.”
