A modest and thoughtful man, he once said that “...the main qualification for flying to the Moon was to have been born at the right time, 1930, give or take a year or two.”

After a successful launch and a smooth journey to the Moon, Apollo 11 looked to be proceeding according to plan. But just as the lunar module closed in on its intended landing site, alarms began to sound.

But for the design of the lunar module’s interior and position of the spacecraft’s door, Aldrin might have been the first man on the Moon.

The former Nazi's life is highly controversial, but his mind was unquestionably brilliant, and helped propel the USA to the Moon.

Neil Armstrong was the first person to walk on the Moon, but his career as a test pilot meant he was used to risking his life in the name of science.

With the US trailing Russia in the space race, President Kennedy had to rally popular support for an increased American effort.