Nail Armstrong died today. He was 82 and died following complications resulting from cardiovascular procedures.

Armstrong was selected to take a ride to the moon on Apollo 11 in December 1968. After that there was rigorous training. Above is a photo of Armstrong in a lunar module training simulator rehearsing a descent to the moon. In June 1969 he and his shipmates , Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin (above) soared off the launch pad in Cape Canaveral (below).

On July 20, 1969 the lunar module, Eagle, landed on the moon with Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong. 6 hours later Neil Armstrong was the first man to step on the moon and declare, “”That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

The two astronauts did various tests before returning in the module and heading home.

Below is a photo of Armstrong and Aldrin placing the American flag on the moon. Also a photo of Aldrin, the second man to step foot on the moon.

Photo are from ‘Spaceflight – A Smithsonian Guide’ by Valerie Neal , ‘Kennedy Space Center Story’ by NASA and ‘Moon Shot’ by Alan Shepard and Deke Slayton. You can click any of the titles or the links below to get your own copes.