Apollo 11’s probably the most iconic space mission ever. It’s been featured in more films than you could watch in a lifetime, and the truth is even weirder than you might think. Take a look below for 19 incredible and awesome facts about Apollo 11.
1. JFK told the head of NASA in private that he wasn’t interested in space.
2. He just wanted to beat the Soviets in a propaganda war.
3. The astronauts could only get life insurance by hawking their autographs.
4. Apollo 11 launched from Cape Kennedy on July 16, 1969, carrying the two first ever men to walk on the Moon, Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin.
5. The third man who went all the way and never set foot on the Moon was Michael Collins.
6. In total, only 12 people have ever walked on the Moon!
7. When Collins went around the dark side of the Moon solo he was the most remote human being in history.
8. Their original autographs have sold for upwards of $30,000.
9. Neil Armstrong would be offered in excess of $1 million to give after dinner talks.
10. He repeatedly declined, preferring to teach at university instead.
11. Playtex won the contract to design the space suits.
12. Before Apollo 11 they were best known for making bras.
13. The 3 astronauts were lifted into space by the cutting edge Saturn V rocket.
14. It was so powerful NASA were worried about an explosion killing the crowd of spectators!
15. They estimated shrapnel could travel up to 3 miles.
16. So they positioned the crowd 3.5 miles away — clever!
17. Buzz Aldrin read the Gospel of John when he touched down on the Moon.
18. Neil Armstrong broke the handle off a breaker switch by hitting it with his backpack.
19. They were only able to leave the Moon because he found a felt tip pen he could jam in to close the breaker!