Neil Armstrong

Buzz Aldrin on the footpad of the LM Eagle

Apollo 11, July 16-24, 1969, 109:42:53 GET

Vintage chromogenic print on fiber-based Kodak paper, 20.3 x 25.4cm (8 x 10in), with “A Kodak Paper” watermarks on the verso [AS11-40-5869] (NASA / North American Rockwell)
20.3 x 25.4cm (8 x 10in)

Thomas, p.193.

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Lot Essay

Before making his first step on the Moon, Aldrin (with both feet on the footpad of the LM) tried to jump up to the bottom rung to check if there was no difficulty returning inside Eagle (he made it only on the second try).
Then he and Armstrong walked where no man had gone before for more than two hours.

109:42:53 Aldrin: Okay. Now I think I’ll do the same (garbled) [Aldrin tries to jump up to the bottom rung and doesn’t quite make it on the first try.]
109:43:01 Armstrong: A little more. About another inch. [Aldrin jumps up to the bottom rung.]
109:43:06 Armstrong: There, you’ve got it.
109:43:08 Aldrin: That’s a good (last) step.
109:43:10 Armstrong: Yeah. About a 3-footer. [Aldrin jumps back down to the footpad.]
109:43:16 Aldrin: Beautiful view!
109:43:18 Armstrong: Isn’t that something! Magnificent sight out here.
109:43:24 Aldrin: Magnificent desolation.

“Magnificent desolation.”
Buzz Aldrin