NAME: Buzz Aldrin (born Edwin Eugene Aldrin Jr.)
WHAT FAMOUS FOR: Second person to walk on the Moon as part of the Apollo 11 mission in 1969.
Accomplished fighter pilot and astronaut with three spacewalks under his belt.
Advocate for space exploration and STEM education.
BIRTH: January 20, 1930, Montclair, New Jersey
FAMILY BACKGROUND: Father: Edwin Eugene Aldrin Sr., an Air Force colonel and aviation pioneer.
Mother: Marion Moon (maiden name), a homemaker.
Sister: Fay Ann Aldrin (later Dreier)
CHILDHOOD: He was described as bright and athletic, with an early interest in aviation.
Nicknamed "Buzz" by his sister due to her mispronunciation of "brother."
EDUCATION: Graduated from Montclair High School (1946).
Earned a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point (1951).
In 1963, Aldrin wrote a doctoral thesis focused on "Line-of-Sight Guidance Techniques for Manned Orbital Rendezvous," to earn a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). This expertise, combined with his work on rendezvous and docking techniques for spacecraft, led his fellow astronauts to give him the nickname "Dr. Rendezvous".
CAREER RECORD: A U.S. Air Force pilot, Aldrin flew 66 combat missions in the Korean War (1952-1953).
Aldrin was selected as a member of NASA's Astronaut Group 3, making him the first astronaut with a doctoral degree.
His first space flight was in 1966 on Gemini 12, during which he spent over five hours on extravehicular activity.
Three years later, Aldrin set foot on the Moon at 03:15:16 on July 21, 1969 (UTC), nineteen minutes after Neil Armstrong first touched the surface, while command module pilot Michael Collins remained in lunar orbit.
Aldrin retired from NASA in 1971 and served as commandant of the Aerospace Research Pilot School.
He retired from the Air Force in 1972 and pursued various business ventures.
APPEARANCE: Tall and athletic, with short brown hair and blue eyes.
FASHION: Practical and professional, favoring suits and casual attire.
It's worth noting that Aldrin is often seen wearing his iconic space suit or astronaut attire during public appearances.
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| Aldrin in 1969 |
CHARACTER: Aldrin is described as intelligent, determined, and adventurous. He is known for his wit and down-to-earth personality.
SENSE OF HUMOUR: Enjoys puns and witty remarks. He is known for his lighthearted demeanor despite his serious accomplishments.
RELATIONSHIPS: He was married four times:
Joan Archer (1954-1974)
Beverly Van Zile (1975-1978)
Lois Driggs Cannon (1988-2012)
Anca Faur (2023-present)
Aldrin has three children: Janice, James, and Andrew.
MONEY & FAME: Aldrin has a comfortable lifestyle due to his career and public appearances.
FOOD & DRINK: He enjoys healthy and varied meals.
MUSIC & ARTS: Aldrin appreciates classical music and enjoys jazz. He has shown interest in space-themed art.
LITERATURE: Aldrin reads biographies, historical accounts, and science fiction. He is the author of several books about his life and experiences.
NATURE: He appreciates the beauty and vastness of space and enjoys exploring natural landscapes.
HOBBIES & SPORTS: He has actively participated in skiing, golf, and swimming and enjoys flying and reading.
SCIENCE & MATHS: Aldrin holds a doctorate in astronautics and has a strong understanding of scientific principles. He continues to advocate for STEM education and space exploration.
PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY: A Presbyterian elder, Aldrin became the first person to hold a religious ceremony on the Moon when he privately took communion.
He is interested in existential questions but focuses more on the practical challenges of space exploration.
SCANDAL: Briefly faced controversy for punching a conspiracy theorist who denied the Moon landing.
MILITARY RECORD: He was commissioned into the United States Air Force and served as a jet fighter pilot during the Korean War, flying 66 combat missions and even shooting down two MiG-15 aircraft.
A distinguished Air Force pilot with numerous medals and commendations.
HEALTH & PHYSICAL FITNESS: Maintains good health and remains active despite his age.
His autobiographies, Return to Earth (1973) and Magnificent Desolation (2009), recount his struggles with clinical depression and alcoholism after leaving NASA.
HOMES: Aldrin has lived in various locations throughout his career, including New Jersey, Texas, California, and Florida.
SPACE TRAVEL: Buzz Aldrin's three spacewalks during the Gemini 12 mission in November 1966 were a significant milestone in human spaceflight. These extravehicular activities (EVAs) showcased substantial advancements over previous attempts, laying the groundwork for future missions like Apollo.
The first EVA, a standup EVA on November 12, 1966, lasted 2 hours and 29 minutes. During this time, Aldrin positioned himself outside the spacecraft hatch, mounted a camera, and collected a micrometeorite experiment.
The second EVA, on November 13, 1966, was the most extensive, lasting 2 hours and 6 minutes. This EVA marked a significant step forward in spacewalking techniques. Aldrin completely exited the spacecraft, tethered by a 9-meter umbilical cord. He installed a handrail, moved along it to the adapter section, and performed various tasks using foot restraints and tethers. Notably, he attached a 30-meter tether between the Gemini adapter and the Agena target vehicle. To prevent exhaustion, Aldrin took regular rest periods.
The final EVA, another standup EVA on November 14, 1966, lasted 55 minutes. Aldrin conducted photography experiments, performed additional unspecified tasks, and jettisoned unused equipment.
Aldrin's successful EVAs, which overcame the challenges faced in previous missions, demonstrated the feasibility of humans working effectively outside spacecraft with proper preparation and equipment. These achievements were crucial for the success of subsequent space missions, including the historic Apollo program.
Extensive travel during his career, both in the military and as an astronaut. He continues to travel for speaking engagements and advocacy work.
POLAR TRAVEL: Buzz Aldrin added another feather to his cap on November 29, 2016. At the ripe old age of 86, he became the oldest person to set foot on the icy expanse of the South Pole. This audacious adventure, part of a tourist trip organized by White Desert, saw Aldrin journey from the warmth of South Africa to the frigid Antarctic.
However, his polar quest was cut short due to health complications. Aldrin developed fluid in his lungs and experienced symptoms of altitude sickness. As a precaution, he was evacuated from the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station and flown to New Zealand for medical treatment.
Despite the setback, Aldrin's achievement was celebrated by his team. His manager, Christina Korp, joked that he'd be "insufferable now," a testament to Aldrin's competitive spirit. The Moonwalker recovered well and returned home, having added another extraordinary chapter to his already legendary life.
This South Pole expedition was not Aldrin's first polar adventure. He had previously visited the North Pole as a tourist in July 1998, making him the oldest person to visit both poles
APPEARANCES IN MEDIA: Aldrin's iconic image as an astronaut has led to numerous media appearances.
He has been featured in documentaries about the Apollo missions and space exploration.
Aldrin has also made appearances in television shows and films, often portraying himself or characters inspired by his experiences.
He is a popular interview subject and continues to advocate for space exploration in various media platforms.
ACHIEVEMENTS: His remarkable achievements span both space exploration and scientific research.
Aldrin's contributions to space exploration are significant. He made three spacewalks as the pilot of the 1966 Gemini 12 mission Later, he became the Lunar Module Eagle pilot on the historic 1969 Apollo 11 mission, where he and mission commander Neil Armstrong were the first two people to land on the Moon.
Beyond his space achievements, Aldrin played a critical behind-the-scenes role in solving some of the thorniest challenges of manned space flight. As the only astronaut with a Ph.D., he calculated complex maneuvers for docking two spacecraft in orbit.
Buzz Aldrin became the oldest person to ever reach the South Pole, when he visited it in November 2016 at the age of 86.
Aldrin continues to advocate for space exploration, particularly a human mission to Mars. He even developed the concept of the Aldrin cycler, a special spacecraft trajectory that makes travel to Mars more efficient in terms of time and propellant
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