NASA: The death of the most isolated person since Adam
Astronaut Michael Collins, who was described as the most lonely person since Adam, died at the age of 90, as his mission in 1969 was to maintain the space shuttle Columbia in orbit, while other astronauts explored the moon, according to the US Aerospace and Space Agency. (NASA) today.
It is noteworthy that Collins was part of a three-member team on the "Apollo 11" mission, which in 1969 made the first human landing on the moon.
Collins’s mission during this flight was to command the command and control unit inside the lander, as he was unable to touch the surface of the moon as did his colleagues Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.
Collins, who is often described as the "forgotten" third astronaut in the historic mission, was left alone for more than 21 hours, until his colleagues in the lunar module returned.
Collins lost contact with the Houston control center every time the spacecraft orbited the dark side of the moon.
"No human has known since Adam, this isolation is like Mike Collins," the mission record said, who wrote a description of his experience in his 1974 autobiography, but largely avoided appearing.
He said in comments published by the US Aerospace and Space Administration (NASA) in 2009: "I know I would be a liar or a fool if I said that I was the best of the three Apollo 11 seats, but I can honestly and poise say that I am completely satisfied with the role I have played."
And Collins was born in Rome on October 31, 1930, the same year that Armstrong, who died in 2012, was born, as well as Aldern, who mourned him in a tweet on "Twitter".
"Whether his work was behind the scenes or in full view of everyone, he will continue his legacy as one of the pioneers who led America's first steps into space," NASA said in a statement.
His spirit will accompany us as we head towards new horizons. ”
The Collins family said in a statement that he passed away after "a valiant battle with cancer ... Nevertheless, we know how lucky Mike was to have lived his life the way he did."
We will abide by his wish for us to celebrate this life, not to mourn the loss of it ».
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