ApolloDeceased
Astronaut Profile
Michael Collins
Command Module Pilot
Michael Collins was the Command Module Pilot of Apollo 11 and orbited the Moon alone while Armstrong and Aldrin landed on the surface.
OrbitingTruths Archive
Command Module Pilot • Deceased
Biography
The person behind the mission
Michael Collins was an American astronaut, test pilot, and Air Force officer. During Apollo 11, he remained in lunar orbit aboard the Command Module Columbia while Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin descended to the Moon. His role was essential to bringing the crew safely home.
Astronaut Details
Born
October 31, 1930
Died
April 28, 2021
Birthplace
Rome, Italy
Role
Command Module Pilot
Program
Apollo
Time in Space
11 days, 2 hours, 4 minutes
EVA Time
1 hour, 27 minutes
Missions
Gemini 10, Apollo 11
Recognition
Awards & Honors
- Presidential Medal of Freedom
- NASA Distinguished Service Medal
- Congressional Gold Medal
- Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross