Source:
IANS
Washington: NASA astronaut Michael Collins, who piloted the historic mission of Apollo 11 spacecraft Columbia in 1969, passed away on Wednesday due to cancer. He was 90.
During the 1969 Apollo 11 mission, Collins remained in lunar orbit while fellow crew members Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin descended to the moon`s surface in the lunar module.
When Armstrong and Aldrin descended to the moon`s surface on July 20, Collins was orbiting 65 miles above them and was momentarily almost forgotten as the world`s attention focused on his two crewmates below.
"Today the nation lost a true pioneer and lifelong advocate for exploration in astronaut Michael Collins. As pilot of the Apollo 11 command module -- some called him `the loneliest man in history` -- while his colleagues walked on the Moon for the first time, he helped our nation achieve a defining milestone. He also distinguished himself in the Gemini Program and as an Air Force pilot," NASA Administrator Steve Jurczyk, said in a statement.