Buzz+Aldrin

Buzz Aldrin was born in Montclair, New Jersey on January 20, 1930 as Edwin Eugene Aldrin. Buzz recieved his education from US Military Academy at West Point. He graduated from West Point with a Bachelor of Sciences in mechanical engineering in 1951. Buzz flew F86 Sabre Jets in 66 combat missions in Korea when he joined the Air Force. He shot down two MIG-15's and was given the Distinguished Flying Cross. He then became a gunery instructor at the Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. Then he went on to fly F100's across Germany. After flying through Germany he went to MIT in Massachusetts to earn his Doctorate of Science in Astronautics. He also wrote his thesis on Manned Orbital Rendezvous in 1963. Later that year Buzz was chosen by NASA to be a part of the third group of astronauts. He was not only an exceptional pilot but also, a trainer. He added and changed many training methods that were useful for new astronauts.Buzz also pioneered underwater training, substituting this for zero gravity flights to help with space walking. On November 11, 1966 he joined James Lovell Jr. in the four day Gemini 12 flight. Aldrin walked in space for five and a half hours and proved that human function is possible in space. On July 16, 1969 Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong and Micheal Collins set off on the Apollo 11 mission. Four days after take off they landed near the southwestern edge of the Sea of Tranquility. At 10:56p.m. EDT on July 20, 1969, Buzz Aldrin followed Neil Armstrong onto the moon, becoming the second man to walk on the moon.Originally Buzz was planned to be the first man on the moon. After retiring from NASA in 1971 Buzz became commandant of the Aerospace Research Pilots’ School at Edwards Air Force Base, California. After retiring in 1972 Buzz wrote an autobiography titled,//Return to Earth.//

I chose Buzz Aldrin because I think he is a very good role model. He has worked very hard over the years to become an astronaut. I also thought it interesting that he wrote an autobiography. Another thing that caught my attention was that he was originally going to be the first man on the moon but they decided that Neil Armstrong would step out first. I still think it is pretty amazing that he was second to set foot on the moon. Buzz Aldrin has been a great contributer to NASA by going on several missions, pioneering underwater training and making worldwide history.

[|"Buzz Aldrin Biography." Buzz Aldrin Infosite. 28 May 2009 .] [|"Biography-the life and achievements of Buzz Aldrin." Buzz Aldrin. The Branding Farm. 30 May 2009 .]   [|"Edwin Eugene Aldrin, Jr.." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2009. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 31 May. 2009 .]

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