Apollo 11 Astronaut Michael Collins Has Died
Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins has passed away at the age of 90.
The pioneer and lifelong advocate for exploration died today (Wednesday, April 28) after battling cancer. Collins’ family released the following statement via Family Statement on Passing of Astronaut Michael Collins pic.twitter.com/6OAw7CzFaz
“We regret to share that our beloved father and grandfather passed away today, after a valiant battle with cancer. He spent his final days peacefully, with his family by his side. Mike always faced the challenges of life with grace and humility, and faced this, his final challenge, in the same way. We will miss him terribly. Yet we also know how lucky Mike felt to have lived the life he did. We will honor his wish for us to celebrate, not mourn, that life. Please join us in fondly and joyfully remembering his sharp wit, his quiet sense of purpose, and his wise perspective, gained both from looking back at Earth from the vantage of space and gazing across calm waters from the deck of his fishing boat.”
Collins had piloted the successful Apollo 11 spacecraft mission in 1969 along with his crewmates Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.
Click here for more information about Collins and his NASA career.