Neil Armstrong Facts for Kids

Neil Armstrong
  • Name: Neil Armstrong
  • Born: August 5th, 1930
  • Died: August 25th, 2012
  • Education: Purdue University, University of Southern California
  • Space Agency: NASA
  • Missions: Gemini 8 and Apollo 11

21 Neil Armstrong Facts for Kids

  1. Neil Armstrong was an American astronaut with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
  2. Neil Armstrong was 1 of 9 people selected to join NASA in the 1962 NASA Astronaut Group 2.
  3. Neil Armstrong was born on Tuesday, August 5th, 1930 in Wapakoneta, Ohio, USA.
  4. Neil Armstrong died of complications from a bypass surgery on August 25th, 2012 at the age of 82 in Ohio.
  5. Neil Armstrong was the son of Stephen Koenig Armstrong and Viola Louise.
  6. Neil Armstrong graduated from Purdue University in 1995 with a B.S. degree in Aeronautical Engineering.
  7. Neil Armstrong earned a M.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering in 1970 at the University of Southern California.
  8. Neil Armstrong was married twice, Janet Shearon between 1956 and 1994, and Carol Knight from 1994 up until his death in 2012.
  9. Neil Armstrong and Janet Shearon had three children together, two sons and one daughter.
  10. Neil Armstrong is best known for being the first person to walk on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission.
  11. One of the most famous quotes in history came from the Apollo 11 mission. When Neil Armstrong reached the moon’s surface, he said “That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.”
  12. Neil Armstrong was a part of two human spaceflight missions, Gemini 8 and Apollo 11.
  13. The Gemini 8 mission was the first time two spacecrafts docked in orbit. The mission was aborted due to the first major in-space system failure for the United States that threatened the lives of the crew.
  14. The Apollo 11 mission is arguably the most famous space mission in history. This mission was the first time that a human set foot on the moon.
  15. Neil Armstrong spent a total of 8 days, 14 hours, 12 minutes and 30 seconds in Space.
  16. Neil Armstrong completed 1 (Extravehicular activity) while in space and spent a total of 2 hours and 31 minutes during those EVAs.
  17. The highest rank achieved in the United States Navy by Neil Armstrong was Lieutenant (junior grade).
  18. Neil Armstrong taught at the University of Cincinnati in the Aerospace Engineering Department between 1971 and 1979.
  19. Neil Armstrong assisted the Rogers Commission, which was used to investigate the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.
  20. In 1985, Neil Armstrong visited the North Pole during an expedition lead by Mike Dunn.
  21. Asteroid 1983 was renamed 6469 Armstrong on the 30th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission.

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