20 July 1969. Neil Armstrong’s photos of Buzz Aldrin’s first steps on the Moon.
NASA
In his book Space: The human story, British astronaut Tim Peake shares images that depict the dramatic and dangerous reality of space exploration. Peake, currently an ambassador for the European Space Agency, highlights the rollercoaster experience of being an astronaut and the juxtaposition of ordinary people doing extraordinary jobs.
The main image in Peake’s collection is a candid photograph taken by Neil Armstrong during the first moon landing on 20 July 1969. It captures Buzz Aldrin walking across the lunar surface, showcasing one of humanity’s greatest achievements.
Apollo 11 launched on 16 July 1969
NASA
Another notable image from Peake’s collection is the launch of the Apollo 11 mission on 16 July 1969. This iconic photograph captures the awe-inspiring moment when humans set off on a journey to the moon.
Ed White on a spacewalk during the Gemini 4 mission, 1965.
NASA
Peake’s collection also includes an image of Ed White during the Gemini 4 mission in June 1965. The photograph captures White spacewalking approximately 150 kilometers above Earth, highlighting the remarkable achievements of early space exploration.
The collection takes a somber turn with a photograph of the crew of Apollo 1, consisting of Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee. This image depicts them during capsule training before their ill-fated mission. Tragically, all three astronauts lost their lives in a fire during a test on 27 January 1967.
Looking towards the future, Peake emphasizes the importance of establishing a lunar station and creating stepping stones for missions to Mars. With the retirement of the International Space Station, Peake believes it is the right time to bring the whole story of space exploration up to date.
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