Edwin Eugene "Buzz" Aldrin, Jr.

Born:

January 20, 1930, Glen Ridge, New Jersey, USA

Nationality:

American

Profession(s):

Astronaut, Engineer, Fighter Pilot

Early Life and Education

• Graduated from Montclair High School in 1947.
• Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1951, graduating third in his class.
• Doctor of Science degree in Astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1963. His doctoral thesis was "Line-of-Sight Guidance Techniques for Manned Orbital Rendezvous."

Career and Major Achievements

• Served as a fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, flying 66 combat missions and shooting down two MiG-15 aircraft.
• Selected as a NASA astronaut in 1963 with Group 3.
• Gemini 12 mission in 1966: Performed three EVAs (extravehicular activities) proving that astronauts could work outside spacecraft.
• Apollo 11 mission in 1969: Became the second human to walk on the Moon. Some of the most famous phrases originated as buzz aldrin quotes from apollo 11.
• Served as Commandant of the Aerospace Research Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base.
• Retired from NASA in 1971 and the Air Force in 1972.

Notable Works

• Books:
  • Return to Earth (1973)
  • Men from Earth (1991)
  • Magnificent Desolation (2009)
  • Mission to Mars: My Vision for Space Exploration (2013)
  • No Dream Is Too High: Life Lessons from a Man Who Walked on the Moon (2016)
• Appeared in various documentaries and television programs relating to space exploration.
• Actively involved in promoting space exploration and the colonization of Mars.

Legacy and Impact

Buzz Aldrin is a pivotal figure in the history of space exploration. His contributions to the Gemini and Apollo programs were crucial to their success. He continues to inspire future generations of scientists, engineers, and explorers through his writing, public speaking, and advocacy for space exploration.

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