The often forgotten third member of Apollo 11 revealed his realizations following the historic mission.
When considering NASA’s Apollo 11 expedition, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin are the names that typically come to mind.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWVgUwMTHEU
These two astronauts, who first set foot on the Moon, became icons in history, experiencing lunar gravity and gathering samples.
However, while Armstrong and Aldrin ventured onto the Moon’s surface, another astronaut journeyed there yet remained on board.
This was Michael Collins, who piloted the command module as his colleagues explored the lunar landscape.
For a period of 48 minutes, Collins became the most solitary human as the command module circled the far side of the Moon.
One description noted that no one had experienced such solitude ‘since Adam’, though Collins himself did not feel alone.
Collins described his emotions as ‘awareness, anticipation, satisfaction, confidence, almost exultation’ instead.
In a YouTube interview with 60 Minutes Australia, Collins recounted what he learned from his space journey.
He remarked, “The food was terrible but I enjoyed my time behind the Moon. It’s a rugged place and not a very comfortable place.”
He also shared a profound insight from his time in space.
He explained, “Being very close to the Moon was very impressive in many ways, but the Moon is nothing compared to our home planet.”
Collins continued, “It was centre stage. Any little thing, the blue of the ocean, the white of the clouds, little streaks of tan that we call ‘continents’.
“It’s about the size of your thumbnail if you hold it out in front of you.”
While orbiting the Moon alone, Collins had the task of locating the lunar module on the surface and maintaining communication with Earth.
Although he might not have received as much attention as those who walked on the Moon, Collins often emphasized the importance of his role for the mission’s success—someone needed to remain aboard and wait for the others’ return.
Reflecting on the Apollo 11 mission, he commented, “This venture has been structured for three men, and I consider my third to be as necessary as either of the other two.”
Collins also mentioned his deep concern for the safety of Armstrong and Aldrin, fearing their potential fatalities would force him to return to Earth solo, becoming a ‘marked man’.
Fortunately, the mission succeeded splendidly, and all three returned together.
Before leaving, Collins inscribed a message inside the command module: “Spacecraft 107 – alias Apollo 11 – alias Columbia. The best ship to come down the line. God Bless Her. Michael Collins, CMP”.