Neil Armstrong, Mike Collins, and Buzz Aldrin talk over drinks in Houston in March 1969, four months before their mission to the moon Buzz Aldrin Hates Being Called the Second Man on the Moon Michael Collins is the forgotten astronaut of Apollo 11; he’s perfectly fine with that
At the Kennedy Space Center, astronaut Michael Collins discusses the Apollo 11 launch 50 years later.
I guess, that my answer to my question in the thread title, would have to be "No Way"! They were the three legs of the same "Apollo 11 Mission Stool"! They each performed their duties working together flawlessly! They were members of the same winning team.
I hope this is not considered off topic, but there was an interesting TV interview last night of Mike Massimino. He was a space walker repairing the Hubble telescope. Such a delightful upbeat person. "Author and former astronaut Mike Massimino looks back at the Apollo 11 mission and his time working in space."
I don't know why Buzz Aldrin would "hate being called the second man on the moon." He WAS the second man to walk on the moon. I have enjoyed all the Apollo II coverage this week; it reminded me of a time that the world seemed to come together for a brief moment. Fun fact: I was reading last night that the flag they left would now be all faded and degraded, since it was an "off the shelf" purchase and no special material. It toppled over in the turbulence when the lunar module blasted off the moon's surface.
Neil and Buzz were two very different personalities! I think he felt he should have been first, and it has always stuck in his craw. Buzz was born "Edwin Eugene Aldrin Jr". "Buzz Aldrin's real name is, in fact, Buzz Aldrin. He had it legally changed to Buzz in the early 80's from his given name Edwin E. Aldrin Jr. The name “Buzz” evolved from his sister Fay Ann's mispronunciation of the word “brother” which became “Buzzer.”
Or "Second Place; the First Loser?" All kidding aside, I don't think it matters in the grand scheme of things. He is an amazing part of our history.
That just sucks. How totally stupid not to plan better. It's not a 'we can put a new one up next time' kind of moment.
I think that the Plaque, left behind was more than enough. I don't know how Richard Nixon will be remembered, but he managed to have his name engraved and displayed on the Moon's surface! Moon Plaque, 1969 Left behind on the moon by Apollo 11 astronauts, the plaque was stainless steel, 9 by 7 and inches and an inch thick.