Apollo 11, Lunar Module Shadow (AS11- 39- 5800)
Apollo 11, Lunar Module Shadow (AS11- 39- 5800), 1969
July 1969
Original photograph
Vintage print
20,32 x 25,4 cm / 8 x 10 inch
Apollo 11
Apollo 11 (1969) is a legendary mission of the Apollo program launched by NASA in the early 60s. Neil Armstrong’s famous words « That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind », broadcasted on live TV for a worldwide audience, perfectly describe the purpose of Apollo 11. Three American astronauts, Neil Armstrong, Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin and Michael Collins, went on this mission from the 16th to the 24th of July, returning safely back to Earth.
While Michael Collins was in charge of the command module in lunar orbit, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin managed to land on the site called “Sea of Tranquility”. They spent 2 hours and 31 minutes outside the lunar module. This short period of time enabled them to install the ALSEP, scientific instruments, to collect 21.55kg of soil samples, to place a memorial plaque and the American flag on the surface of the Moon. The photographs made by the astronauts themselves with the Hasselblad camera have become iconic and valuable documents of the Space Age.
