Buzz Aldrin

Date of Birth: January 20, 1930

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Biography

Buzz Aldrin, born Edwin Eugene Aldrin Jr., is an American astronaut, engineer, and former fighter pilot. He was born on January 20, 1930, in Glen Ridge, New Jersey. Raised in Montclair, New Jersey, Aldrin showed early signs of brilliance, excelling in academics and athletics. He attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he graduated third in his class with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1951. Aldrin flew 66 combat missions in the Korean War as an Air Force pilot, earning two Distinguished Flying Crosses. After the war, he earned a doctorate in astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where his thesis on orbital mechanics was groundbreaking. In 1963, Aldrin was selected as part of NASA’s third group of astronauts. His first spaceflight was on Gemini 12, where he performed a record-breaking five-hour spacewalk. However, his most notable achievement came on July 20, 1969, when he, along with Neil Armstrong, became one of the first two humans to land on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission. He spent about 21 hours on the lunar surface. Post-NASA, Aldrin continued to advocate for space exploration and authored several books. He remains an iconic figure in the realms of space science and exploration.

5 Interesting Facts about Buzz Aldrin

1. Buzz Aldrin’s mother’s maiden name was Moon, which he often cited as a cosmic coincidence given his future career.

2. He received his nickname “Buzz” from his sister, who mispronounced “brother” as “buzzer.”

3. Aldrin was the first astronaut with a doctorate to fly in space.

4. He struggled with depression and alcoholism after his moon mission but later became an advocate for mental health awareness.

5. Aldrin has a crater on the moon named after him, known as the “Aldrin Crater.”

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Buzz Aldrin

1. “There is no greater reward than working from your heart, and making a difference in the world.”

2. “Mars is there, waiting to be reached.”

3. “Exploration is wired into our brains. If we can see the horizon, we want to know what’s beyond.”

4. “You are not alone. There are people out there who care for you and will help you if you ask.”

5. “History will remember the first moon landing not just as a technological achievement but as a moment when humanity reached out to touch the face of the cosmos.”