50 years ago, humanity’s first step on another world

Washington, July 20 

The world on Saturday celebrated the success of Apollo 11 — one of humanity’s greatest achievements — when American astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin became the first humans ever to land on the Moon on July 20, 1969.

US Vice-President Mike Pence was set to visit NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida to deliver a special address. According to NASA, during his visit, the Vice President would recognise the success of Apollo 11 and address progress in NASA’s return to the Moon with the upcoming Artemis missions. 

Going back to the Moon sustainably with this innovative approach will enable America to take the next giant leap-sending humans to Mars.

NASA also released stunning images from the Apollo landing sites on the Moon for a 50th anniversary reminder of what the 12 humans who walked on its surface experience visually.

The Apollo 11 mission occurred eight years after President John F. Kennedy announced a national goal of landing a man on the moon by the end of the 1960s. Apollo 17, the final manned moon mission, took place in 1972. Trump has relaunched the race to re-conquer the Moon, this time with the first woman. — Agencies