Buzz Aldrin
Biography
Buzz Aldrin was born in 1930 and educated at West Point, graduating with honors in 1951. He flew 66 combat missions in the Korean War before returning to study, earning a doctorate in Astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
In 1963, Aldrin was selected as an astronaut and in 1966 flew the last Gemini mission. In July 1969 he was lunar module commander on Apollo 11 and became the second man to walk on the moon.
Since retiring from NASA and the US Air Force, Aldrin has devoted his time to promoting and driving efforts to ensure a continued leading role for America in manned space exploration. He has also written several books and, through his company Starcraft Enterprises, is at the forefront of research into and promotion of future space travel for all.
Career Highlights
| 1951 | Graduated from West Point |
| 1952 | Active service in Korean War |
| 1963 | Selected as NASA astronaut |
| 1966 | Gemini 12 mission |
| 1969 | Apollo 11 lunar module pilot; second man to walk on the Moon |
| 1969 | Awarded the Presidential Medal for Freedom |
| 1971 | Retired from NASA |
| 1972 | Retired from active US Air Force duty |
| 1973 | Published Return to Earth |
| 1989 | Published Men from Earth to mark 20th anniversary of the first lunar landing |
| 1993 | Received US patent for space station design |
| 1996 | Founded Starcraft Boosters |
| 1998 | Launched Share Space Foundation |
| 2000 | Published The Return |
| 2002 | Appointed by Bush administration to serve on commission on future of US aerospace industry |
| 2003 | Received the Humanitarian Award from the children's charity, Variety |
| 2005 | Release of first children’s book, Reaching for the Moon |
Links
For more on Buzz Aldrin, his research and his books, visit his website: www.buzzaldrin.com
