Houston, TX – Dr. Buzz Aldrin, the Lunar Module Pilot of the historic Apollo 11 mission, recently marked the 56th anniversary of a pivotal moment in humanity's journey to the Moon. On Friday, July 18, 2025, Aldrin reflected on the exact day in 1969 when the Apollo 11 crew was deep into its translunar coast, en route to the lunar surface.
"Where were you #OTD (in fact, on this exact day – Friday, July 18th, 1969) 56 years ago? I can tell you where I was…on the way to the Moon! Happy #Apollo11 Friday!" Aldrin tweeted, sharing a personal recollection of the mission's early stages. His tweet underscored the incredible distance and time involved in the pioneering spaceflight.
The Apollo 11 mission, carrying Commander Neil Armstrong, Command Module Pilot Michael Collins, and Lunar Module Pilot Buzz Aldrin, launched from Cape Kennedy on July 16, 1969. By July 18, the spacecraft had successfully completed its translunar injection burn and was well on its three-day journey to lunar orbit.
On this specific day in 1969, Armstrong and Aldrin entered the Lunar Module (LM) Eagle to conduct a thorough check-out of the spacecraft, which would later carry them to the lunar surface. They also performed a second live television transmission back to Earth, allowing millions to witness their progress. The mission would culminate with Armstrong and Aldrin landing on the Moon on July 20, 1969, marking a monumental achievement in space exploration.
Aldrin, now 95, remains a prominent figure in space advocacy, continuing to inspire future generations. His regular reflections on the Apollo program serve as a reminder of the human endeavor and engineering prowess that made the Moon landing possible. The 56th anniversary highlights the enduring legacy of Apollo 11 and its profound impact on history.