When discussions turn to lunar missions, the name Neil Armstrong inevitably takes center stage. Alongside Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin, Armstrong formed the crew of the historic Apollo 11 mission, touching down on the lunar landscape on July 20, 1969. It was Neil Armstrong who etched his name in history by taking that monumental first step, solidifying his status as the pioneering individual to set foot on the moon. Following in Armstrong's footsteps, Buzz Aldrin also ventured onto the lunar terrain.
Despite not claiming the title of the first lunar walker, Buzz Aldrin secured an unintentional milestone - he became the inaugural individual to urinate on the moon. Clearly, Aldrin didn't aim for this distinction. In an unforeseen turn of events, as he descended the ladder of the Apollo 11 lander, urine leaked from a specialized bag within his spacesuit, dispersing across the lunar surface.
Aldrin executed the lunar module's landing with deliberate caution, aiming to prevent excessive compression upon touchdown. However, the outcome differed from expectation - what should have been a modest step from the lunar module to the lunar surface transformed into a substantial leap. The abrupt jolt upon landing caused the device containing Aldrin's collected urine to rupture, resulting in the urine spilling onto one of his boots. As Aldrin traversed the moon's surface, the spillage persisted, spreading further across the lunar terrain.
It's worth noting that the Apollo mission astronauts were equipped with condom-like pouches for urination. These pouches were then disposed of via ejection from the spacecraft. In a 2016 radio show conversation, Buzz Aldrin himself recounted this incident. He explained the presence of a bag attached to the waist, known as the urine collection device (UCD). Aldrin elaborated on the challenges of extended stays in the spacecraft and on the lunar surface, noting that the bag was nearing full capacity.
Buzz Aldrin commented, "It's crucial to manage your movements while descending the lander ladder. I glanced out the lander window and noticed Neil Armstrong engrossed in collecting samples for a good 20 minutes. I realized this (urine) would pose a problem. As I descended the stairs, I urinated profusely. I was aware of the interconnectedness of the situation, knowing the bag was not empty." (laughs) "Yes... (I peed)."
Buzz Aldrin often joked about this incident. When asked about it in an interview, he quipped, "People have their first adventures on the moon, but no one ever made any claim about it."
0 comments:
Post a Comment