Sad news, Michael Collins R.I.P

[Craney]

Breaking news on the BBC.

Former Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins has died, aged 90.

If you are looking at the Moon tonight... then spare a moment.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-56921562

[Stu]

Just saw that on his FB page. Very sad, but what a life, and what a genuinely nice and down to earth man who achieved extraordinary things!

[xtreemchaos]

sadly another giant gone , he has his place in history written .RIP .

[iapa]

The moon was the first step in his future travels.

RIP

[laudropb]

Sad to see this on the news. I have read a couple of his books and found them most enjoyable. RIP

[PXR-5]

another one of our heros gone.

RIP sir.

[Guest]

They really were heroes. The first interplanetary missions. While the first Mars landings will be momentous. They will not in my opinion have quite the same awe.

[johnfosteruk]

A good innings at 90, but still very sad news. Cancer according to the family. RIP.

This article has a reminder of one of my favourite Apollo 11 quotes - 'The thing I remember most is the view of planet Earth from a great distance. Tiny. Very shiny. Blue and white. Bright. Beautiful. Serene and fragile'

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/apr/28/michael-collins-apollo-11-astronaut-dies-90

Edited April 28, 2021 by johnfosteruk

[Paul M]

An amazing life!

Kinda sad that Apollo is slowly slipping from living memory. I'm 57 this year and not many people younger than me will have real memories of it and mine are getting vague

 

[iPeace]

2 hours ago, laudropb said:

I have read a couple of his books and found them most enjoyable.

"I bore easily, and I have written for people who bore easily. (...) There was never a dull day, and there should be no boring pages."

Michael Collins, Carrying the Fire, 1973

 

He got it right.

[Swoop1]

My pool of heroes shrinks by one more, very significant member.

RIP Mike- may you Carry The Fire Forever.

[ian_bird]

"I am it. If a count were taken, the score would be three billion plus two over on the other side of the moon, and one plus God only knows what on this side"

RIP Michael Collins.

[JamesF]

Just saw this on the news myself.  A sad day.

James

[JTDUK]

Sad news indeed. In my opinion, the moon landing was mankind's greatest ever single achievement. 

A little bit eerie for me, as I received a notification with the news of his passing quite literally as I was finishing a Lego build of the Apollo 11 LM 😔

[maw lod qan]

Yes a sad day. RIP Mr Collins.

I read "Carrying the fire" when I was much younger and enjoyed it. When he commented on how he would think and feel if something happened to two astronauts on the moon or when returning to the CM it really made me think.

I've always believed he would have done anything he possibly could do if there had been any chance of him saving them!

Although the light would be better tomorrow morning for the area, I still did take a few moments to view the landing area.

[skyhog]

Sad, I only recently read "carrying the fire".... Always intended to as it was regarded as one of the best first hand accounts of the era. I wasn't disappointed. Well worth a read. 

[barkis]

May he rest in perfect peace.
His job may not have seemed as glamorous as  Neil Armstrong's or  Buzz Aldrins,
but his role was overwhelmingly important to the Lunar landing mission.
Can't have been very  easy to bear the strain  so alone, waiting for the LEM ascent .
Nerves would be jangling for sure.
All their names will live in Space Annals for all time.
Ron.
 

 

[LukeSkywatcher]

Not that Armstrong,Aldrin or Collins sought fame. They were all just doing their jobs. Collins was an unsung hero of the mission. 

Collins, named after a true Irish patriot.

R.I.P

 

[saac]

10 hours ago, maw lod qan said:

Yes a sad day. RIP Mr Collins.

I read "Carrying the fire" when I was much younger and enjoyed it. When he commented on how he would think and feel if something happened to two astronauts on the moon or when returning to the CM it really made me think.

I've always believed he would have done anything he possibly could do if there had been any chance of him saving them!

Although the light would be better tomorrow morning for the area, I still did take a few moments to view the landing area.

That generation of Americans were without question special; I often think their contribution to the 2nd world war and the Apollo program mark the USA's  greatest achievements and are a shining example to the world of the good we can do.  A very special generation indeed .  Very few moon walkers left now.  RIP Mr Collins : and, while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod , the high untrespassed sanctity of space, put out my hand, and touched the face of God". 

Jim  

[Swoop1]

I'm sitting watching the Apollo 11 documentary on Sky Documentary channel as we speak.

I don't know if they had it scheduled or are showing it as a tribute. I hope the latter.

[cotterless45]

What a life ! I remember the family gathering around the TV and watching the landing . 

Nick.

[bish]

Sad news. RIP.