Michael Collins
Early Life and Education
Michael Collins was born on October 31, 1930, in Rome, Italy. His father, James Lawton Collins, was a career U.S. Army officer stationed in Rome at the time. Michael Collins spent his early years moving with his family due to his father's military assignments. He attended St. Albans School in Washington, D.C., and later enrolled at the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he graduated in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree.
Military Career
After graduating from West Point, Collins chose to join the United States Air Force. He completed flight training at Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi and then went on to advanced flight training at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. Collins served as a fighter pilot and was stationed at various bases, including Chambley-Bussieres Air Base in France, where he flew F-86 Sabre jets.
NASA Career
Selection and Early Missions
In 1963, Michael Collins was selected as part of NASA's third group of astronauts. His first spaceflight was as pilot of the Gemini 10 mission in July 1966. During this mission, Collins performed two extravehicular activities (EVAs), becoming the third American to walk in space. The mission objectives included docking with an Agena target vehicle and conducting scientific experiments.
Apollo 11 Mission
Michael Collins is best known for his role as the command module pilot on the historic Apollo 11 mission, the first manned lunar landing. While Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin descended to the lunar surface in the Lunar Module, Collins remained in lunar orbit aboard the Command Module Columbia. His responsibilities included maintaining the command module's systems and ensuring a safe rendezvous with the lunar module after the moonwalk.
Collins' role was crucial to the mission's success, as he was responsible for the command module's navigation and communication systems. He orbited the Moon alone for over 21 hours, maintaining contact with Mission Control and performing various tasks to ensure the spacecraft's readiness for the return trip.
Post-NASA Career
After retiring from NASA in 1970, Collins took on several roles in public service and the private sector. He served as Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs and later became the director of the National Air and Space Museum, where he oversaw the museum's opening in 1976. Collins also worked in the aerospace industry, holding executive positions at LTV Aerospace and Vought Corporation.
Personal Life and Legacy
Michael Collins married Patricia Finnegan in 1957, and they had three children together. Throughout his life, Collins was known for his humility and reluctance to seek the spotlight, despite his significant contributions to space exploration.
Collins authored several books, including "Carrying the Fire," a memoir of his experiences as an astronaut, which is considered one of the best accounts of the Apollo program. His insights into the technical and emotional aspects of spaceflight have been highly regarded by both the public and his peers.