🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 20 (from laksa084)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa020.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://mymodernmet.com/why-was-neil-armstrong-first-man-on-moon/\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://mymodernmet.com/why-was-neil-armstrong-first-man-on-moon/\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/why-was-neil-armstrong-first-man-on-moon\/","crawl_time":1776190232,"first_indexed_time":1563927821,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,mymodernmet!\/why-was-neil-armstrong-first-man-on-moon\/ s443","src_root_hash":"6135883671220228220","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Discover Why Neil Armstrong Was Chosen as the First Man on the Moon","meta_descriptions":["Learn the real reason why astronaut Neil Armstrong was the chose to be the first man on the moon during the historic Apollo 11 moon landing."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Neil Armstrong inside the Lunar Module as it rests on the lunar surface after completion of his historic moonwalk.\nThis post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met may earn an affiliate commission. Please read\nour disclosure\nfor more info.\nMost Americans are familiar with astronaut\nNeil Armstrong\n‘s declaration “That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” which took place as he became the first man to step foot on the moon. Fifty years after the historic\nApollo 11 moon landing\n, the successful mission continues to capture the imagination of the public. And while all members of the three-man crew were celebrated as heroes, Armstrong was catapulted to fame. But did you ever wonder why it was Armstrong who got the honor of walking on the moon first?\nArmstrong, who was the mission's commander, was joined on Apollo 11 by astronauts Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin Jr. and Michael Collins. While Collins, as the Command Module Pilot, stayed behind, Buzz Aldrin joined Armstrong on the moon 19 minutes later. As Lunar Module Pilot, it would have made sense for Aldrin to take the honor as first on the moon. In fact, that is what was dictated by standard protocol. As the commander had a great number of responsibilities on board, it was typically the junior crew member who conducted spacewalks when called for. In a 2014\nAMA on Reddit\n, Aldrin revealed his take on why the switch was made.\n“There was a group at NASA who felt the junior person (me) should go out first, but many people felt the great symbology of the commander from past expeditions or arrivals at a destination,” Aldrin explained. “The decision that was made was absolutely correct as far as who went out first, symbolically.”\nNeil Armstrong at the modular equipment storage assembly (MESA) of the Lunar Module “Eagle” on the historic first extravehicular activity (EVA) on the lunar surface. Astronaut Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin Jr. took the photograph with a Hasselblad 70mm camera. Most photos from the Apollo 11 mission show Buzz Aldrin. This is one of only a few that show Neil Armstrong (some of these are blurry).\nAldrin went on to note that neither he nor Armstrong was involved in the decision, stating that it was “up to people much higher up in NASA.” This was confirmed by legendary NASA engineer Christopher Columbus Kraft Jr., who was NASA's first light director. In Craig Nelson's book\nRocket Men, The Epic Story of the First Men on the Moon\n, \nKraft tells his version of how the decision was made.\n“The first man on the moon would be a legend, an American hero beyond Lucky Lindbergh, beyond any soldier or politician or inventor,” Kraft\nrecounted\n. “It should be Neil Armstrong. I brought my ideas to Deke [Slayton, director of NASA flight operations], and then to George Low [manager of the Apollo Spacecraft Program Office]. They thought so too.”\nInterestingly, NASA's historic telling of the event is a bit different. Their\nofficial website\nstates that the decision was less about who would be a national hero and more about the practical design of the lunar module. The hatch was located on the opposite side of where Aldrin was to be seating. This meant that for him to get out first, he'd have to climb over his fellow crew member while both were wearing bulky spacesuits. Thus, it made more logical sense for Armstrong, who was seated next to the hatch, to climb out first.\nNeil Armstrong in April 1969\nDeke Slayton's account, which is also published in Nelson's book, confirms that the true decision was a mixture between these two factors. “[Aldrin exiting first] didn't sound right to me based on the configuration of the spacecraft…and secondly, just on a pure protocol basis, I figured that the commander ought to be the first guy out.”\nAs the first man to step on the moon, Armstrong was launched into history. Rather than take immediately to the spotlight, his family called him a “reluctant American hero.” More comfortable keeping a low profile, he was a humble person who often turned down interviews and requests for public appearances.\nThis humility is reflected in a quote from a rare interview he gave in 2005 with \n60 Minutes\n. “Friends and colleagues all of a sudden looked at us, treated us, slightly differently than had months or years before when we were working together. I never quite understood that.”\nh\/t: [\nIFL Science!\n]\nAll images via\nNASA Commons\n.\nRelated Articles\n:\nMore Than 8,400 Never-Before-Seen Photos from NASA’s Apollo Moon Landings\n10 Creative Books to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Moon Landing\nNeil Armstrong’s Spacesuit Is Back on Display at the National Air and Space Museum\nMeet Margaret Hamilton, the Woman Who Helped NASA Land on the Moon","attrs_markdown":"![](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/tr?id=438929739853889&ev=PageView%20&noscript=1)\n\nToggle navigation\n\n- [Popular](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/popular-posts)\n- [Categories](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/why-was-neil-armstrong-first-man-on-moon\/)\n  - [Art](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/art\/)\n  - [Design](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/design\/)\n  - [Photography](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/photography\/)\n  - [Academy](https:\/\/academy.mymodernmet.com\/)\n  - [Store](https:\/\/mymodernmet.store\/)\n  - [Architecture](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/architecture\/)\n  - [Science](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/science\/)\n  - [Technology](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/technology\/)\n  - [History](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/history\/)\n  - [Environment](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/environment\/)\n  - [Nature](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/nature\/)\n  - [Career](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/career\/)\n  - [Resources](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/resources\/)\n  - [Classes](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/classes\/)\n  - [DIY](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/diy\/)\n  - [Interview](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/interview\/)\n  - [Travel](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/travel\/)\n  - [Entertainment](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/entertainment\/)\n- [About Us](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/why-was-neil-armstrong-first-man-on-moon\/)\n  - [About](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/about\/)\n  - [Editorial Policy](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/editorial-policy\/)\n  - [Team](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/team\/)\n  - [Submit Content](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/submit-content\/)\n  - [Contact](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/contact\/)\n  - [Advertise](https:\/\/mymodernmet.media\/)\n  - [Affiliate Disclosure](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/affiliate-disclosure\/)\n  - [Privacy](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/privacy-policy\/)\n  - [Terms](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/terms-conditions\/)\n- [Membership](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/my-modern-met-membership)\n- [Academy](https:\/\/academy.mymodernmet.com\/)\n- [Store](https:\/\/store.mymodernmet.com\/)\n- - [Follow @mymodernmet](https:\/\/twitter.com\/mymodernmet)\n  - [Follow](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/mymodernmet\/)\n  - [Pinterest](https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/mymodernmet\/)\n  - [![follow us in feedly](https:\/\/s3.feedly.com\/img\/follows\/feedly-follow-rectangle-volume-medium_2x.png)](http:\/\/feedly.com\/i\/subscription\/feed\/http:\/\/mmm.electricpulp.com\/feed\/)\n  - [Subscribe](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/newsletter-signup\/)\n- [Get Our Weekly Newsletter](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/newsletter-signup\/)\n\n- [Popular](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/why-was-neil-armstrong-first-man-on-moon\/)\n  - Popular Posts\n  - [View All](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/popular-posts\/)\n  - [![]()](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/georgiana-houghton-spirit-paintings\/)\n    [See the Paintings That a 19th-Century Artist Created While Guided by Spiritual Forces](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/georgiana-houghton-spirit-paintings\/)\n  - [![]()](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/rammed-earth-house-utah-desert-observatory\/)\n    [Rammed Earth-Inspired Concept House Looks Like a Rocky Formation in the Desert](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/rammed-earth-house-utah-desert-observatory\/)\n  - [![]()](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/winners-scottish-nature-photography-awards\/)\n    [Winners of the Scottish Nature Photography Awards 2025 Celebrate Scotland’s Wild Beauty](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/winners-scottish-nature-photography-awards\/)\n  - [![]()](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/pinkest-pink-giveaway\/)\n    [World’s “Pinkest Pink” Color Is Being Given Away for Free to Everyone Except One Person](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/pinkest-pink-giveaway\/)\n- [Art](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/art\/)\n- [Design](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/design\/)\n- [Photography](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/photography\/)\n- [Academy](https:\/\/academy.mymodernmet.com\/)\n- [Store](https:\/\/mymodernmet.store\/)\n- [More Topics All Topics](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/why-was-neil-armstrong-first-man-on-moon\/)\n  - More Topics\n  - [Art](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/art\/)\n  - [Design](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/design\/)\n  - [Photography](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/photography\/)\n  - [Academy](https:\/\/academy.mymodernmet.com\/)\n  - [Store](https:\/\/mymodernmet.store\/)\n  - [Architecture](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/architecture\/)\n  - [Science](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/science\/)\n  - [Technology](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/technology\/)\n  - [History](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/history\/)\n  - [Environment](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/environment\/)\n  - [Nature](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/nature\/)\n  - [Career](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/career\/)\n  - [Resources](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/resources\/)\n  - [Classes](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/classes\/)\n  - [DIY](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/diy\/)\n  - [Interview](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/interview\/)\n  - [Travel](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/travel\/)\n  - [Entertainment](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/entertainment\/)\n- [Membership](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/my-modern-met-membership)\n- - [Follow @mymodernmet](https:\/\/twitter.com\/mymodernmet)\n  - [Follow](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/mymodernmet\/)\n  - [Pinterest](https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/mymodernmet\/)\n  - [![follow us in feedly](https:\/\/s3.feedly.com\/img\/follows\/feedly-follow-rectangle-volume-medium_2x.png)](http:\/\/feedly.com\/i\/subscription\/feed\/http:\/\/mmm.electricpulp.com\/feed\/)\n  - [Subscribe](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/newsletter-signup\/)\n\n[Home](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/)  \/  [Science](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/science\/)  \/  [Astronomy](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/science\/astronomy\/)\n\n# Discover Why Neil Armstrong Was Chosen as the First Man to Walk on the Moon\nBy [Jessica Stewart](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/author\/jessica) on July 23, 2019\n\n![Portrait of Neil Armstrong](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/apollo-11-moon-landing-celebration-8.jpg)\n\n![Portrait of Neil Armstrong](<data:image\/svg+xml,\\<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 750 769\"\\>\\<\/svg\\>>)\n\nNeil Armstrong inside the Lunar Module as it rests on the lunar surface after completion of his historic moonwalk.  \nThis post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met may earn an affiliate commission. Please read [our disclosure](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/affiliate-disclosure\/) for more info.\n\nMost Americans are familiar with astronaut **Neil Armstrong**‘s declaration “That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” which took place as he became the first man to step foot on the moon. Fifty years after the historic [Apollo 11 moon landing](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/apollo-11-50-year-anniversary\/), the successful mission continues to capture the imagination of the public. And while all members of the three-man crew were celebrated as heroes, Armstrong was catapulted to fame. But did you ever wonder why it was Armstrong who got the honor of walking on the moon first?\n\nArmstrong, who was the mission's commander, was joined on Apollo 11 by astronauts Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin Jr. and Michael Collins. While Collins, as the Command Module Pilot, stayed behind, Buzz Aldrin joined Armstrong on the moon 19 minutes later. As Lunar Module Pilot, it would have made sense for Aldrin to take the honor as first on the moon. In fact, that is what was dictated by standard protocol. As the commander had a great number of responsibilities on board, it was typically the junior crew member who conducted spacewalks when called for. In a 2014 [AMA on Reddit](https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/IAmA\/comments\/2a5vg8\/i_am_buzz_aldrin_engineer_american_astronaut_and\/), Aldrin revealed his take on why the switch was made.\n\n“There was a group at NASA who felt the junior person (me) should go out first, but many people felt the great symbology of the commander from past expeditions or arrivals at a destination,” Aldrin explained. “The decision that was made was absolutely correct as far as who went out first, symbolically.”\n\n![Neil Armstrong On The Moon](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/apollo-11-moon-landing-celebration-19.jpg)\n\n![Neil Armstrong On The Moon](<data:image\/svg+xml,\\<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 750 463\"\\>\\<\/svg\\>>)\n\nNeil Armstrong at the modular equipment storage assembly (MESA) of the Lunar Module “Eagle” on the historic first extravehicular activity (EVA) on the lunar surface. Astronaut Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin Jr. took the photograph with a Hasselblad 70mm camera. Most photos from the Apollo 11 mission show Buzz Aldrin. This is one of only a few that show Neil Armstrong (some of these are blurry).\n\nAldrin went on to note that neither he nor Armstrong was involved in the decision, stating that it was “up to people much higher up in NASA.” This was confirmed by legendary NASA engineer Christopher Columbus Kraft Jr., who was NASA's first light director. In Craig Nelson's book *[Rocket Men, The Epic Story of the First Men on the Moon](https:\/\/amzn.to\/2K29WG7),* Kraft tells his version of how the decision was made.\n\n“The first man on the moon would be a legend, an American hero beyond Lucky Lindbergh, beyond any soldier or politician or inventor,” Kraft [recounted](https:\/\/books.google.it\/books?id=LWMivGgbM7kC&pg=PT26&lpg=PT26&dq=figured+the+commander+ought+to+be+the+first+guy+out&source=bl&ots=UfS_kGuvg1&sig=ACfU3U1_YC35NmiowVLw5CfgdB1yeNdodA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiss_u5h8vjAhWI_aQKHSDOC7IQ6AEwAHoECAcQAQ#v=onepage&q=figured%20the%20commander%20ought%20to%20be%20the%20first%20guy%20out&f=false). “It should be Neil Armstrong. I brought my ideas to Deke \\[Slayton, director of NASA flight operations\\], and then to George Low \\[manager of the Apollo Spacecraft Program Office\\]. They thought so too.”\n\nInterestingly, NASA's historic telling of the event is a bit different. Their [official website](https:\/\/history.nasa.gov\/SP-350\/ch-8-7.html) states that the decision was less about who would be a national hero and more about the practical design of the lunar module. The hatch was located on the opposite side of where Aldrin was to be seating. This meant that for him to get out first, he'd have to climb over his fellow crew member while both were wearing bulky spacesuits. Thus, it made more logical sense for Armstrong, who was seated next to the hatch, to climb out first.\n\n![Portrait of NASA Astronaut Neil Armstrong](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/neil-armstrong-first-man-moon.jpg)\n\n![Portrait of NASA Astronaut Neil Armstrong](<data:image\/svg+xml,\\<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 750 938\"\\>\\<\/svg\\>>)\n\nNeil Armstrong in April 1969\n\nDeke Slayton's account, which is also published in Nelson's book, confirms that the true decision was a mixture between these two factors. “\\[Aldrin exiting first\\] didn't sound right to me based on the configuration of the spacecraft…and secondly, just on a pure protocol basis, I figured that the commander ought to be the first guy out.”\n\nAs the first man to step on the moon, Armstrong was launched into history. Rather than take immediately to the spotlight, his family called him a “reluctant American hero.” More comfortable keeping a low profile, he was a humble person who often turned down interviews and requests for public appearances.\n\nThis humility is reflected in a quote from a rare interview he gave in 2005 with *60 Minutes*. “Friends and colleagues all of a sudden looked at us, treated us, slightly differently than had months or years before when we were working together. I never quite understood that.”\n\nh\/t: \\[[IFL Science\\!](https:\/\/www.iflscience.com\/space\/why-neil-armstrong-was-the-first-person-on-the-moon-according-to-buzz-aldrin\/)\\]\n\n#### *All images via [NASA Commons](https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/nasacommons\/albums\/with\/72157634973926806).*\n## Related Articles:\n[More Than 8,400 Never-Before-Seen Photos from NASA’s Apollo Moon Landings](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/nasa-apollo-moon-landings\/)\n\n[10 Creative Books to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Moon Landing](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/best-books-about-moon-landing\/)\n\n[Neil Armstrong’s Spacesuit Is Back on Display at the National Air and Space Museum](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/neil-armstrong-spacesuit-on-display\/)\n\n[Meet Margaret Hamilton, the Woman Who Helped NASA Land on the Moon](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/margaret-hamilton-software-engineering\/)\n\n![]()\n\n### Jessica Stewart\nJessica Stewart is a Staff Editor and Digital Media Specialist for My Modern Met, as well as a curator and art historian. Since 2020, she is also one of the co-hosts of the My Modern Met [Top Artist Podcast](https:\/\/podcast.mymodernmet.com\/). She earned her MA in Renaissance Studies from University College London and now lives in Rome, Italy. She cultivated expertise in street art which led to the purchase of her photographic archive by the Treccani Italian Encyclopedia in 2014. When she’s not spending time with her three dogs, she also manages the studio of a successful street artist. In 2013, she authored the book \"[Street Art Stories Roma](https:\/\/books.google.it\/books\/about\/Street_art_stories_Roma.html?id=q5vNlwEACAAJ&redir_esc=y)\" and most recently contributed to \"[Crossroads: A Glimpse Into the Life of Alice Pasquini](https:\/\/amzn.to\/37Vn1Lw).\" You can follow her adventures online at [@romephotoblog](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/romephotoblog\/).\n\n[Read all posts from Jessica Stewart](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/author\/jessica\/)\n\nFascinated by space?  [Share](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/why-was-neil-armstrong-first-man-on-moon\/#share-on-facebook)\n\nLike My Modern Met on Facebook\n\n[Get Our Weekly Newsletter](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/newsletter-signup\/)\n\nBecome a   \nMy Modern Met Member\n\nAs a member, you'll join us in our effort to support the arts.\n\n[Become a Member](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/my-modern-met-membership)  \n [Explore member benefits](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/my-modern-met-membership)\n\nFascinated by space?   \n   \n  [Share](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/why-was-neil-armstrong-first-man-on-moon\/#share-on-facebook)\n\nLet's Connect\n\nReceive our [Weekly Newsletter](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/newsletter-signup\/).  \n We’re also on [Pinterest](https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/mymodernmet\/), [Tumblr](http:\/\/mymodernmet.tumblr.com\/), and [Flipboard](https:\/\/flipboard.com\/@mymodernmet).\n\nWant to advertise with us? Visit [My Modern Met Media](https:\/\/mymodernmet.media\/).\n\nGet Our Weekly Newsletter\n\n[![My Modern Met - Academy Logo](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/assets\/img\/theme\/academy-logo-white.svg)](https:\/\/academy.mymodernmet.com\/)\n\n[Learn Art Online](https:\/\/academy.mymodernmet.com\/?utm_source=web&utm_medium=ad&utm_campaign=sidebar&utm_content=learn-art-online)\n\n[![Melissa De Nobrega](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Melissa-De-Nobrega-Portrait-Drawing.jpg)](https:\/\/academy.mymodernmet.com\/courses\/portrait-drawing-for-beginners?utm_source=web&utm_medium=ad&utm_campaign=sidebar&utm_content=course)\n\n[Portrait Drawing for Beginners: Learn How to Draw Anyone You’d Like](https:\/\/academy.mymodernmet.com\/courses\/portrait-drawing-for-beginners?utm_source=web&utm_medium=ad&utm_campaign=sidebar&utm_content=course)\n\n[VIEW ALL COURSES](https:\/\/academy.mymodernmet.com\/collections?category=courses&utm_source=web&utm_medium=ad&utm_campaign=sidebar&utm_content=all-courses)\n\n[Visit Our Store](https:\/\/store.mymodernmet.com\/)\n\n[![Visit Our Store](<data:image\/svg+xml,\\<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 %d %d\"\\>\\<\/svg\\>>) Herding Cats Puzzle by Nervous System \\$75.00](https:\/\/store.mymodernmet.com\/products\/herding-cats-puzzle \"Visit Our Store\")\n\n[Shop All Products](https:\/\/store.mymodernmet.com\/)\n\n[![](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/assets\/img\/theme\/memberful-sidebar-background.jpg) Become a My Modern Met Member As a member, you'll join us in our effort to support the arts. Become a Member Explore member benefits](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/my-modern-met-membership)\n### Get Our Weekly Newsletter\n[![My Modern Met - Academy Logo](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/assets\/img\/theme\/academy-logo-black-v2.svg)](https:\/\/academy.mymodernmet.com\/)\n\n[Learn From  Top Artists](https:\/\/academy.mymodernmet.com\/)\n\n[VIEW ALL COURSES](https:\/\/academy.mymodernmet.com\/collections?category=courses&utm_source=web&utm_medium=ad&utm_campaign=banner)\n\n[![](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/academy-11.jpeg) ![Dimitra Milan](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Dimitra-Milan-1.jpg) ![](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/academy-10.jpeg) ![](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/academy-5.jpeg) ![Margherita Cole](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Margherita-Cole-7-2.jpg) ![Melissa de Nobrega](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Melissa-de-Nobrega-2.jpg) ![](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/academy-9.jpeg) ![](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/academy-6.jpeg) ![Melissa de Nobrega](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Melissa-de-Nobrega-1.jpg) ![Danison Fronda](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Danison-Fronda-Hand-Lettering-06.jpeg) ![Margherita Cole](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Margherita-Cole-1-2.jpg) ![Dimitra Milan](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Dimitra-Milan-3.jpeg) ![](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/academy-4.jpeg) ![Dimitra Milan](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Dimitra-Milan-4.jpeg) ![Dimitra Milan](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Dimitra-Milan-5.jpeg) ![](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/academy-7.jpeg) ![](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/academy-13.jpeg) ![](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/academy-12.jpeg) ![Belinda Richards](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Belinda-Richards-3.jpg) ![Belinda Richards](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Belinda-Richards-5.jpeg) ![](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/academy-23.jpeg) ![Demi Lang](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Demi-Lang-Architectural-Drawing-02.jpeg) ![](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/academy-20.jpeg) ![](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/academy-18.jpeg) ![](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/academy-17.jpeg) ![](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/academy-22.jpeg) ![](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/academy-21.jpeg) ![](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/academy-14.jpeg) ![](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/academy-19.jpeg) ![](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/academy-15.jpeg) ![](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/academy-16.jpeg) ![Floor Geibels](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Floor-Geibels-1.jpeg) ![Belinda Richards](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Belinda-Richards-4.jpg) ![Maria Zamyatina](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Maria-Zamyatina-1.jpg) ![Belinda Richards](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Belinda-Richards-2.jpg) ![Maria Zamyatina](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Maria-Zamyatina-2.jpg) ![Megan Elizabeth](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Megan-Elizabeth-4.jpg) ![](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/academy-26.jpeg) ![Anna Zakirova](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Anna-Zakirova-5.jpg) ![](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/academy-30.jpeg) ![Floor Geibels](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Floor-Geibels-1.jpeg) ![](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/academy-29.jpeg) ![](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/academy-27.jpeg) ![Anna Zakirova](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Anna-Zakirova-3.jpg) ![Megan Elizabeth](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Megan-Elizabeth-3.jpg) ![Megan Elizabeth](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Megan-Elizabeth-2.jpg) ![](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/academy-24.jpeg) ![](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/academy-28.jpeg) ![](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/academy-25.jpeg) ![](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/academy-32.jpeg) ![Maria Zamyatina](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Maria-Zamyatina-3.jpg) ![Anna Sokolova](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Anna-Sokolova-1.jpg) ![](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Anna-Sokolova-2.jpg) ![](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/academy-31.jpeg) ![](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/academy-34.jpeg) ![](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/academy-36.jpeg) ![Dimitra Milan](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/academy-39.jpeg) ![Khara Plicanic](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Khara-Plicanic-3.jpeg) ![](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/academy-41.jpg) ![](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/academy-40.jpg) ![Anna Zakirova](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Anna-Zakirova-1.jpg) ![Khara Plicanic](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Khara-Plicanic-1.jpg) ![Anna Zakirova](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Anna-Zakirova-4.jpg) ![Nitika Ale](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Nitika-Ale-3.jpeg) ![Khara Plicanic](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Khara-Plicanic-2.jpeg) ![](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/academy-33.jpeg) ![Nitika Ale](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Nitika-Ale-2.jpeg) ![](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/academy-35.jpeg) ![](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/academy-37.jpeg) ![](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/academy-38.jpeg) ![Khara Plicanic](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Khara-Plicanic-5.jpeg) ![Play Visual Animations](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/assets\/img\/theme\/academy-play-button.svg) ![Pause Visual Animations](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/assets\/img\/theme\/academy-pause-button.svg)](https:\/\/academy.mymodernmet.com\/)\n\n[My Modern Met Store](https:\/\/store.mymodernmet.com\/) [Shop All Products](https:\/\/mymodernmet.store\/)\n\n[![](<data:image\/svg+xml,\\<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 %d %d\"\\>\\<\/svg\\>>) Vintage-Inspired Bird Scarf by Shovava \\$62.00](https:\/\/store.mymodernmet.com\/products\/bird-scarf)\n\n[![](<data:image\/svg+xml,\\<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 %d %d\"\\>\\<\/svg\\>>) Frida Kahlo Action Figure by Today is Art Day \\$29.99](https:\/\/mymodernmet.store\/products\/frida-kahlo-action-figure)\n\n[![](<data:image\/svg+xml,\\<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 %d %d\"\\>\\<\/svg\\>>) Big Wooden Cat Pile Game by Comma \\$39.95](https:\/\/mymodernmet.store\/products\/big-wooden-cat-pile-game)\n\n[![](<data:image\/svg+xml,\\<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 %d %d\"\\>\\<\/svg\\>>) Viviva Colorsheets by Viviva Colorsheets \\$19.95](https:\/\/mymodernmet.store\/products\/viviva-colorsheets)\n\n[Shop All Products](https:\/\/mymodernmet.store\/)\n### Related Articles\n[![](<data:image\/svg+xml,\\<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 %d %d\"\\>\\<\/svg\\>>)](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/moon-crater-carroll-artemis-ii\/)\n\n[NASA’s Artemis II Crew Name Newly Discovered Moon Crater After Astronaut’s Late Wife, Carroll](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/moon-crater-carroll-artemis-ii\/)\n\n[![](<data:image\/svg+xml,\\<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 %d %d\"\\>\\<\/svg\\>>)](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/nasa-artemis-ii-lunar-flyby-images\/)\n\n[NASA Shares Breathtaking Images From the Artemis II Lunar Flyby](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/nasa-artemis-ii-lunar-flyby-images\/)\n\n[![](<data:image\/svg+xml,\\<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 %d %d\"\\>\\<\/svg\\>>)](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/national-geographic-orion-launch-slow-mo\/)\n\n[Marvel at NASA’s Artemis II Mission Launch by Watching It in Extreme Slow Motion](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/national-geographic-orion-launch-slow-mo\/)\n\n[![](<data:image\/svg+xml,\\<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 %d %d\"\\>\\<\/svg\\>>)](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/victor-glover-easter-message-from-outerspace\/)\n\n[Watch Artemis II Astronaut Deliver an Uplifting Easter Message From Outer Space](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/victor-glover-easter-message-from-outerspace\/)\n\n[![](<data:image\/svg+xml,\\<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 %d %d\"\\>\\<\/svg\\>>)](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/artemis-ii-astronauts\/)\n\n[Meet the Four Astronauts Who Are Currently on Their Way to the Moon](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/artemis-ii-astronauts\/)\n\n[![](<data:image\/svg+xml,\\<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 %d %d\"\\>\\<\/svg\\>>)](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/nasas-artemis-ii-launch\/)\n\n[NASA’s Artemis II Launches First Crewed Moon Mission in Decades](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/nasas-artemis-ii-launch\/)\n\n### More on My Modern Met\n[![](<data:image\/svg+xml,\\<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 %d %d\"\\>\\<\/svg\\>>)](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/total-lunar-eclipse-march-2026\/)\n\n[Total Lunar Eclipse Will Turn the Full Moon a Rich Copper‑Red in March](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/total-lunar-eclipse-march-2026\/)\n\n[![](<data:image\/svg+xml,\\<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 %d %d\"\\>\\<\/svg\\>>)](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/gru-space-moon-hotel\/)\n\n[Team of Scientists and Engineers Unveil Plans for the First Hotel on the Moon](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/gru-space-moon-hotel\/)\n\n[![](<data:image\/svg+xml,\\<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 %d %d\"\\>\\<\/svg\\>>)](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/timelapse-kepler-supernova-remnant\/)\n\n[Timelapse by NASA Reveals How a Supernova Remnant Has Grown Over 25 Years](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/timelapse-kepler-supernova-remnant\/)\n\n[![](<data:image\/svg+xml,\\<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 %d %d\"\\>\\<\/svg\\>>)](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/first-wheelchairuser-in-space\/)\n\n[German Aerospace Engineer Becomes First Wheelchair User To Go to Space](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/first-wheelchairuser-in-space\/)\n\n[![](<data:image\/svg+xml,\\<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 %d %d\"\\>\\<\/svg\\>>)](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/astronaut-jonny-kim-returns-to-earth\/)\n\n[Astronaut Jonny Kim Returns to Earth After 245 Days Aboard the International Space Station](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/astronaut-jonny-kim-returns-to-earth\/)\n\n[![](<data:image\/svg+xml,\\<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 %d %d\"\\>\\<\/svg\\>>)](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/artemis-ii-ready\/)\n\n[Artemis II Astronauts Preparing for the Moon Say They’re “Ready for Every Scenario”](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/artemis-ii-ready\/)\n### Get Our Weekly Newsletter\n### My Modern Met\nCelebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.\n\n- [Art](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/art\/)\n- [Design](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/design\/)\n- [Photography](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/photography\/)\n- [Architecture](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/architecture\/)\n- [DIY](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/diy\/)\n- [Career](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/career\/)\n- [Resources](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/resources\/)\n- [Classes](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/classes\/)\n- [Environment](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/environment\/)\n- [Science](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/science\/)\n- [Technology](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/technology\/)\n- [Travel](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/category\/travel\/)\n- [Academy](https:\/\/academy.mymodernmet.com\/)\n- [Store](https:\/\/mymodernmet.store\/)\n\n© 2026. All rights reserved.\n\n- [About](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/about\/)\n- [Editorial Policy](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/editorial-policy\/)\n- [Team](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/team\/)\n- [Submit Content](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/submit-content\/)\n- [Contact](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/contact\/)\n- [Advertise](https:\/\/mymodernmet.media\/)\n- [Affiliate Disclosure](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/affiliate-disclosure\/)\n- [Privacy](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/privacy-policy\/)\n- [Terms](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/terms-conditions\/)\n\nDesigned in collaboration with [Electric Pulp](https:\/\/www.electricpulp.com\/)","attrs_readable_markdown":"![Portrait of Neil Armstrong](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/apollo-11-moon-landing-celebration-8.jpg)\n\nNeil Armstrong inside the Lunar Module as it rests on the lunar surface after completion of his historic moonwalk.  \nThis post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met may earn an affiliate commission. Please read [our disclosure](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/affiliate-disclosure\/) for more info.\n\nMost Americans are familiar with astronaut **Neil Armstrong**‘s declaration “That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” which took place as he became the first man to step foot on the moon. Fifty years after the historic [Apollo 11 moon landing](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/apollo-11-50-year-anniversary\/), the successful mission continues to capture the imagination of the public. And while all members of the three-man crew were celebrated as heroes, Armstrong was catapulted to fame. But did you ever wonder why it was Armstrong who got the honor of walking on the moon first?\n\nArmstrong, who was the mission's commander, was joined on Apollo 11 by astronauts Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin Jr. and Michael Collins. While Collins, as the Command Module Pilot, stayed behind, Buzz Aldrin joined Armstrong on the moon 19 minutes later. As Lunar Module Pilot, it would have made sense for Aldrin to take the honor as first on the moon. In fact, that is what was dictated by standard protocol. As the commander had a great number of responsibilities on board, it was typically the junior crew member who conducted spacewalks when called for. In a 2014 [AMA on Reddit](https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/IAmA\/comments\/2a5vg8\/i_am_buzz_aldrin_engineer_american_astronaut_and\/), Aldrin revealed his take on why the switch was made.\n\n“There was a group at NASA who felt the junior person (me) should go out first, but many people felt the great symbology of the commander from past expeditions or arrivals at a destination,” Aldrin explained. “The decision that was made was absolutely correct as far as who went out first, symbolically.”\n\n![Neil Armstrong On The Moon](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/apollo-11-moon-landing-celebration-19.jpg)\n\nNeil Armstrong at the modular equipment storage assembly (MESA) of the Lunar Module “Eagle” on the historic first extravehicular activity (EVA) on the lunar surface. Astronaut Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin Jr. took the photograph with a Hasselblad 70mm camera. Most photos from the Apollo 11 mission show Buzz Aldrin. This is one of only a few that show Neil Armstrong (some of these are blurry).\n\nAldrin went on to note that neither he nor Armstrong was involved in the decision, stating that it was “up to people much higher up in NASA.” This was confirmed by legendary NASA engineer Christopher Columbus Kraft Jr., who was NASA's first light director. In Craig Nelson's book *[Rocket Men, The Epic Story of the First Men on the Moon](https:\/\/amzn.to\/2K29WG7),* Kraft tells his version of how the decision was made.\n\n“The first man on the moon would be a legend, an American hero beyond Lucky Lindbergh, beyond any soldier or politician or inventor,” Kraft [recounted](https:\/\/books.google.it\/books?id=LWMivGgbM7kC&pg=PT26&lpg=PT26&dq=figured+the+commander+ought+to+be+the+first+guy+out&source=bl&ots=UfS_kGuvg1&sig=ACfU3U1_YC35NmiowVLw5CfgdB1yeNdodA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiss_u5h8vjAhWI_aQKHSDOC7IQ6AEwAHoECAcQAQ#v=onepage&q=figured%20the%20commander%20ought%20to%20be%20the%20first%20guy%20out&f=false). “It should be Neil Armstrong. I brought my ideas to Deke \\[Slayton, director of NASA flight operations\\], and then to George Low \\[manager of the Apollo Spacecraft Program Office\\]. They thought so too.”\n\nInterestingly, NASA's historic telling of the event is a bit different. Their [official website](https:\/\/history.nasa.gov\/SP-350\/ch-8-7.html) states that the decision was less about who would be a national hero and more about the practical design of the lunar module. The hatch was located on the opposite side of where Aldrin was to be seating. This meant that for him to get out first, he'd have to climb over his fellow crew member while both were wearing bulky spacesuits. Thus, it made more logical sense for Armstrong, who was seated next to the hatch, to climb out first.\n\n![Portrait of NASA Astronaut Neil Armstrong](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/neil-armstrong-first-man-moon.jpg)\n\nNeil Armstrong in April 1969\n\nDeke Slayton's account, which is also published in Nelson's book, confirms that the true decision was a mixture between these two factors. “\\[Aldrin exiting first\\] didn't sound right to me based on the configuration of the spacecraft…and secondly, just on a pure protocol basis, I figured that the commander ought to be the first guy out.”\n\nAs the first man to step on the moon, Armstrong was launched into history. Rather than take immediately to the spotlight, his family called him a “reluctant American hero.” More comfortable keeping a low profile, he was a humble person who often turned down interviews and requests for public appearances.\n\nThis humility is reflected in a quote from a rare interview he gave in 2005 with *60 Minutes*. “Friends and colleagues all of a sudden looked at us, treated us, slightly differently than had months or years before when we were working together. I never quite understood that.”\n\nh\/t: \\[[IFL Science\\!](https:\/\/www.iflscience.com\/space\/why-neil-armstrong-was-the-first-person-on-the-moon-according-to-buzz-aldrin\/)\\]\n\n#### *All images via [NASA Commons](https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/nasacommons\/albums\/with\/72157634973926806).*\n## Related Articles:\n[More Than 8,400 Never-Before-Seen Photos from NASA’s Apollo Moon Landings](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/nasa-apollo-moon-landings\/)\n\n[10 Creative Books to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Moon Landing](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/best-books-about-moon-landing\/)\n\n[Neil Armstrong’s Spacesuit Is Back on Display at the National Air and Space Museum](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/neil-armstrong-spacesuit-on-display\/)\n\n[Meet Margaret Hamilton, the Woman Who Helped NASA Land on the Moon](https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/margaret-hamilton-software-engineering\/)","meta_canonical":null}

3. Robots.txt Check

Query:

Response:

4. Spam/Ban Check

Query:

Response:

5. Seen Status Check

ℹ️ Skipped - page is already crawled

📄

INDEXABLE

✅

CRAWLED

1 day ago

🤖

ROBOTS ALLOWED

Page Info Filters

Filter	Status	Condition	Details
HTTP status	PASS	`download_http_code = 200`	HTTP 200
Age cutoff	PASS	`download_stamp > now() - 6 MONTH`	0.1 months ago
History drop	PASS	`isNull(history_drop_reason)`	No drop reason
Spam/ban	PASS	`fh_dont_index != 1 AND ml_spam_score = 0`	ml_spam_score=0
Canonical	PASS	`meta_canonical IS NULL OR = '' OR = src_unparsed`	Not set

Page Details

Property	Value
URL	https://mymodernmet.com/why-was-neil-armstrong-first-man-on-moon/
Last Crawled	2026-04-14 18:10:32 (1 day ago)
First Indexed	2019-07-24 00:23:41 (6 years ago)
HTTP Status Code	200
Meta Title	Discover Why Neil Armstrong Was Chosen as the First Man on the Moon
Meta Description	Learn the real reason why astronaut Neil Armstrong was the chose to be the first man on the moon during the historic Apollo 11 moon landing.
Meta Canonical	null
Boilerpipe Text	Neil Armstrong inside the Lunar Module as it rests on the lunar surface after completion of his historic moonwalk. This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met may earn an affiliate commission. Please read our disclosure for more info. Most Americans are familiar with astronaut Neil Armstrong ‘s declaration “That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” which took place as he became the first man to step foot on the moon. Fifty years after the historic Apollo 11 moon landing , the successful mission continues to capture the imagination of the public. And while all members of the three-man crew were celebrated as heroes, Armstrong was catapulted to fame. But did you ever wonder why it was Armstrong who got the honor of walking on the moon first? Armstrong, who was the mission's commander, was joined on Apollo 11 by astronauts Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin Jr. and Michael Collins. While Collins, as the Command Module Pilot, stayed behind, Buzz Aldrin joined Armstrong on the moon 19 minutes later. As Lunar Module Pilot, it would have made sense for Aldrin to take the honor as first on the moon. In fact, that is what was dictated by standard protocol. As the commander had a great number of responsibilities on board, it was typically the junior crew member who conducted spacewalks when called for. In a 2014 AMA on Reddit , Aldrin revealed his take on why the switch was made. “There was a group at NASA who felt the junior person (me) should go out first, but many people felt the great symbology of the commander from past expeditions or arrivals at a destination,” Aldrin explained. “The decision that was made was absolutely correct as far as who went out first, symbolically.” Neil Armstrong at the modular equipment storage assembly (MESA) of the Lunar Module “Eagle” on the historic first extravehicular activity (EVA) on the lunar surface. Astronaut Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin Jr. took the photograph with a Hasselblad 70mm camera. Most photos from the Apollo 11 mission show Buzz Aldrin. This is one of only a few that show Neil Armstrong (some of these are blurry). Aldrin went on to note that neither he nor Armstrong was involved in the decision, stating that it was “up to people much higher up in NASA.” This was confirmed by legendary NASA engineer Christopher Columbus Kraft Jr., who was NASA's first light director. In Craig Nelson's book Rocket Men, The Epic Story of the First Men on the Moon , Kraft tells his version of how the decision was made. “The first man on the moon would be a legend, an American hero beyond Lucky Lindbergh, beyond any soldier or politician or inventor,” Kraft recounted . “It should be Neil Armstrong. I brought my ideas to Deke [Slayton, director of NASA flight operations], and then to George Low [manager of the Apollo Spacecraft Program Office]. They thought so too.” Interestingly, NASA's historic telling of the event is a bit different. Their official website states that the decision was less about who would be a national hero and more about the practical design of the lunar module. The hatch was located on the opposite side of where Aldrin was to be seating. This meant that for him to get out first, he'd have to climb over his fellow crew member while both were wearing bulky spacesuits. Thus, it made more logical sense for Armstrong, who was seated next to the hatch, to climb out first. Neil Armstrong in April 1969 Deke Slayton's account, which is also published in Nelson's book, confirms that the true decision was a mixture between these two factors. “[Aldrin exiting first] didn't sound right to me based on the configuration of the spacecraft…and secondly, just on a pure protocol basis, I figured that the commander ought to be the first guy out.” As the first man to step on the moon, Armstrong was launched into history. Rather than take immediately to the spotlight, his family called him a “reluctant American hero.” More comfortable keeping a low profile, he was a humble person who often turned down interviews and requests for public appearances. This humility is reflected in a quote from a rare interview he gave in 2005 with 60 Minutes . “Friends and colleagues all of a sudden looked at us, treated us, slightly differently than had months or years before when we were working together. I never quite understood that.” h/t: [ IFL Science! ] All images via NASA Commons . Related Articles : More Than 8,400 Never-Before-Seen Photos from NASA’s Apollo Moon Landings 10 Creative Books to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Moon Landing Neil Armstrong’s Spacesuit Is Back on Display at the National Air and Space Museum Meet Margaret Hamilton, the Woman Who Helped NASA Land on the Moon
Markdown	![](https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=438929739853889&ev=PageView%20&noscript=1) Toggle navigation - [Popular](https://mymodernmet.com/popular-posts) - [Categories](https://mymodernmet.com/why-was-neil-armstrong-first-man-on-moon/) - [Art](https://mymodernmet.com/category/art/) - [Design](https://mymodernmet.com/category/design/) - [Photography](https://mymodernmet.com/category/photography/) - [Academy](https://academy.mymodernmet.com/) - [Store](https://mymodernmet.store/) - [Architecture](https://mymodernmet.com/category/architecture/) - [Science](https://mymodernmet.com/category/science/) - [Technology](https://mymodernmet.com/category/technology/) - [History](https://mymodernmet.com/category/history/) - [Environment](https://mymodernmet.com/category/environment/) - [Nature](https://mymodernmet.com/category/nature/) - [Career](https://mymodernmet.com/category/career/) - [Resources](https://mymodernmet.com/category/resources/) - [Classes](https://mymodernmet.com/category/classes/) - [DIY](https://mymodernmet.com/category/diy/) - [Interview](https://mymodernmet.com/category/interview/) - [Travel](https://mymodernmet.com/category/travel/) - [Entertainment](https://mymodernmet.com/category/entertainment/) - [About Us](https://mymodernmet.com/why-was-neil-armstrong-first-man-on-moon/) - [About](https://mymodernmet.com/about/) - [Editorial Policy](https://mymodernmet.com/editorial-policy/) - [Team](https://mymodernmet.com/team/) - [Submit Content](https://mymodernmet.com/submit-content/) - [Contact](https://mymodernmet.com/contact/) - [Advertise](https://mymodernmet.media/) - [Affiliate Disclosure](https://mymodernmet.com/affiliate-disclosure/) - [Privacy](https://mymodernmet.com/privacy-policy/) - [Terms](https://mymodernmet.com/terms-conditions/) - [Membership](https://mymodernmet.com/my-modern-met-membership) - [Academy](https://academy.mymodernmet.com/) - [Store](https://store.mymodernmet.com/) - - [Follow @mymodernmet](https://twitter.com/mymodernmet) - [Follow](https://www.instagram.com/mymodernmet/) - [Pinterest](https://www.pinterest.com/mymodernmet/) - [![follow us in feedly](https://s3.feedly.com/img/follows/feedly-follow-rectangle-volume-medium_2x.png)](http://feedly.com/i/subscription/feed/http://mmm.electricpulp.com/feed/) - [Subscribe](https://mymodernmet.com/newsletter-signup/) - [Get Our Weekly Newsletter](https://mymodernmet.com/newsletter-signup/) - [Popular](https://mymodernmet.com/why-was-neil-armstrong-first-man-on-moon/) - Popular Posts - [View All](https://mymodernmet.com/popular-posts/) - [![]()](https://mymodernmet.com/georgiana-houghton-spirit-paintings/) [See the Paintings That a 19th-Century Artist Created While Guided by Spiritual Forces](https://mymodernmet.com/georgiana-houghton-spirit-paintings/) - [![]()](https://mymodernmet.com/rammed-earth-house-utah-desert-observatory/) [Rammed Earth-Inspired Concept House Looks Like a Rocky Formation in the Desert](https://mymodernmet.com/rammed-earth-house-utah-desert-observatory/) - [![]()](https://mymodernmet.com/winners-scottish-nature-photography-awards/) [Winners of the Scottish Nature Photography Awards 2025 Celebrate Scotland’s Wild Beauty](https://mymodernmet.com/winners-scottish-nature-photography-awards/) - [![]()](https://mymodernmet.com/pinkest-pink-giveaway/) [World’s “Pinkest Pink” Color Is Being Given Away for Free to Everyone Except One Person](https://mymodernmet.com/pinkest-pink-giveaway/) - [Art](https://mymodernmet.com/category/art/) - [Design](https://mymodernmet.com/category/design/) - [Photography](https://mymodernmet.com/category/photography/) - [Academy](https://academy.mymodernmet.com/) - [Store](https://mymodernmet.store/) - [More Topics All Topics](https://mymodernmet.com/why-was-neil-armstrong-first-man-on-moon/) - More Topics - [Art](https://mymodernmet.com/category/art/) - [Design](https://mymodernmet.com/category/design/) - [Photography](https://mymodernmet.com/category/photography/) - [Academy](https://academy.mymodernmet.com/) - [Store](https://mymodernmet.store/) - [Architecture](https://mymodernmet.com/category/architecture/) - [Science](https://mymodernmet.com/category/science/) - [Technology](https://mymodernmet.com/category/technology/) - [History](https://mymodernmet.com/category/history/) - [Environment](https://mymodernmet.com/category/environment/) - [Nature](https://mymodernmet.com/category/nature/) - [Career](https://mymodernmet.com/category/career/) - [Resources](https://mymodernmet.com/category/resources/) - [Classes](https://mymodernmet.com/category/classes/) - [DIY](https://mymodernmet.com/category/diy/) - [Interview](https://mymodernmet.com/category/interview/) - [Travel](https://mymodernmet.com/category/travel/) - [Entertainment](https://mymodernmet.com/category/entertainment/) - [Membership](https://mymodernmet.com/my-modern-met-membership) - - [Follow @mymodernmet](https://twitter.com/mymodernmet) - [Follow](https://www.instagram.com/mymodernmet/) - [Pinterest](https://www.pinterest.com/mymodernmet/) - [![follow us in feedly](https://s3.feedly.com/img/follows/feedly-follow-rectangle-volume-medium_2x.png)](http://feedly.com/i/subscription/feed/http://mmm.electricpulp.com/feed/) - [Subscribe](https://mymodernmet.com/newsletter-signup/) [Home](https://mymodernmet.com/) / [Science](https://mymodernmet.com/category/science/) / [Astronomy](https://mymodernmet.com/category/science/astronomy/) # Discover Why Neil Armstrong Was Chosen as the First Man to Walk on the Moon By [Jessica Stewart](https://mymodernmet.com/author/jessica) on July 23, 2019 ![Portrait of Neil Armstrong](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/apollo-11-moon-landing-celebration-8.jpg) ![Portrait of Neil Armstrong](<data:image/svg+xml,\<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 750 769"\>\</svg\>>) Neil Armstrong inside the Lunar Module as it rests on the lunar surface after completion of his historic moonwalk. This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met may earn an affiliate commission. Please read [our disclosure](https://mymodernmet.com/affiliate-disclosure/) for more info. Most Americans are familiar with astronaut Neil Armstrong‘s declaration “That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” which took place as he became the first man to step foot on the moon. Fifty years after the historic [Apollo 11 moon landing](https://mymodernmet.com/apollo-11-50-year-anniversary/), the successful mission continues to capture the imagination of the public. And while all members of the three-man crew were celebrated as heroes, Armstrong was catapulted to fame. But did you ever wonder why it was Armstrong who got the honor of walking on the moon first? Armstrong, who was the mission's commander, was joined on Apollo 11 by astronauts Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin Jr. and Michael Collins. While Collins, as the Command Module Pilot, stayed behind, Buzz Aldrin joined Armstrong on the moon 19 minutes later. As Lunar Module Pilot, it would have made sense for Aldrin to take the honor as first on the moon. In fact, that is what was dictated by standard protocol. As the commander had a great number of responsibilities on board, it was typically the junior crew member who conducted spacewalks when called for. In a 2014 [AMA on Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/2a5vg8/i_am_buzz_aldrin_engineer_american_astronaut_and/), Aldrin revealed his take on why the switch was made. “There was a group at NASA who felt the junior person (me) should go out first, but many people felt the great symbology of the commander from past expeditions or arrivals at a destination,” Aldrin explained. “The decision that was made was absolutely correct as far as who went out first, symbolically.” ![Neil Armstrong On The Moon](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/apollo-11-moon-landing-celebration-19.jpg) ![Neil Armstrong On The Moon](<data:image/svg+xml,\<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 750 463"\>\</svg\>>) Neil Armstrong at the modular equipment storage assembly (MESA) of the Lunar Module “Eagle” on the historic first extravehicular activity (EVA) on the lunar surface. Astronaut Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin Jr. took the photograph with a Hasselblad 70mm camera. Most photos from the Apollo 11 mission show Buzz Aldrin. This is one of only a few that show Neil Armstrong (some of these are blurry). Aldrin went on to note that neither he nor Armstrong was involved in the decision, stating that it was “up to people much higher up in NASA.” This was confirmed by legendary NASA engineer Christopher Columbus Kraft Jr., who was NASA's first light director. In Craig Nelson's book [Rocket Men, The Epic Story of the First Men on the Moon](https://amzn.to/2K29WG7), Kraft tells his version of how the decision was made. “The first man on the moon would be a legend, an American hero beyond Lucky Lindbergh, beyond any soldier or politician or inventor,” Kraft [recounted](https://books.google.it/books?id=LWMivGgbM7kC&pg=PT26&lpg=PT26&dq=figured+the+commander+ought+to+be+the+first+guy+out&source=bl&ots=UfS_kGuvg1&sig=ACfU3U1_YC35NmiowVLw5CfgdB1yeNdodA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiss_u5h8vjAhWI_aQKHSDOC7IQ6AEwAHoECAcQAQ#v=onepage&q=figured%20the%20commander%20ought%20to%20be%20the%20first%20guy%20out&f=false). “It should be Neil Armstrong. I brought my ideas to Deke \[Slayton, director of NASA flight operations\], and then to George Low \[manager of the Apollo Spacecraft Program Office\]. They thought so too.” Interestingly, NASA's historic telling of the event is a bit different. Their [official website](https://history.nasa.gov/SP-350/ch-8-7.html) states that the decision was less about who would be a national hero and more about the practical design of the lunar module. The hatch was located on the opposite side of where Aldrin was to be seating. This meant that for him to get out first, he'd have to climb over his fellow crew member while both were wearing bulky spacesuits. Thus, it made more logical sense for Armstrong, who was seated next to the hatch, to climb out first. ![Portrait of NASA Astronaut Neil Armstrong](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/neil-armstrong-first-man-moon.jpg) ![Portrait of NASA Astronaut Neil Armstrong](<data:image/svg+xml,\<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 750 938"\>\</svg\>>) Neil Armstrong in April 1969 Deke Slayton's account, which is also published in Nelson's book, confirms that the true decision was a mixture between these two factors. “\[Aldrin exiting first\] didn't sound right to me based on the configuration of the spacecraft…and secondly, just on a pure protocol basis, I figured that the commander ought to be the first guy out.” As the first man to step on the moon, Armstrong was launched into history. Rather than take immediately to the spotlight, his family called him a “reluctant American hero.” More comfortable keeping a low profile, he was a humble person who often turned down interviews and requests for public appearances. This humility is reflected in a quote from a rare interview he gave in 2005 with 60 Minutes. “Friends and colleagues all of a sudden looked at us, treated us, slightly differently than had months or years before when we were working together. I never quite understood that.” h/t: \[[IFL Science\!](https://www.iflscience.com/space/why-neil-armstrong-was-the-first-person-on-the-moon-according-to-buzz-aldrin/)\] #### All images via [NASA Commons](https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasacommons/albums/with/72157634973926806). ## Related Articles: [More Than 8,400 Never-Before-Seen Photos from NASA’s Apollo Moon Landings](https://mymodernmet.com/nasa-apollo-moon-landings/) [10 Creative Books to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Moon Landing](https://mymodernmet.com/best-books-about-moon-landing/) [Neil Armstrong’s Spacesuit Is Back on Display at the National Air and Space Museum](https://mymodernmet.com/neil-armstrong-spacesuit-on-display/) [Meet Margaret Hamilton, the Woman Who Helped NASA Land on the Moon](https://mymodernmet.com/margaret-hamilton-software-engineering/) ![]() ### Jessica Stewart Jessica Stewart is a Staff Editor and Digital Media Specialist for My Modern Met, as well as a curator and art historian. Since 2020, she is also one of the co-hosts of the My Modern Met [Top Artist Podcast](https://podcast.mymodernmet.com/). She earned her MA in Renaissance Studies from University College London and now lives in Rome, Italy. She cultivated expertise in street art which led to the purchase of her photographic archive by the Treccani Italian Encyclopedia in 2014. When she’s not spending time with her three dogs, she also manages the studio of a successful street artist. In 2013, she authored the book "[Street Art Stories Roma](https://books.google.it/books/about/Street_art_stories_Roma.html?id=q5vNlwEACAAJ&redir_esc=y)" and most recently contributed to "[Crossroads: A Glimpse Into the Life of Alice Pasquini](https://amzn.to/37Vn1Lw)." You can follow her adventures online at [@romephotoblog](https://www.instagram.com/romephotoblog/). [Read all posts from Jessica Stewart](https://mymodernmet.com/author/jessica/) Fascinated by space? [Share](https://mymodernmet.com/why-was-neil-armstrong-first-man-on-moon/#share-on-facebook) Like My Modern Met on Facebook [Get Our Weekly Newsletter](https://mymodernmet.com/newsletter-signup/) Become a My Modern Met Member As a member, you'll join us in our effort to support the arts. [Become a Member](https://mymodernmet.com/my-modern-met-membership) [Explore member benefits](https://mymodernmet.com/my-modern-met-membership) Fascinated by space? [Share](https://mymodernmet.com/why-was-neil-armstrong-first-man-on-moon/#share-on-facebook) Let's Connect Receive our [Weekly Newsletter](https://mymodernmet.com/newsletter-signup/). We’re also on [Pinterest](https://www.pinterest.com/mymodernmet/), [Tumblr](http://mymodernmet.tumblr.com/), and [Flipboard](https://flipboard.com/@mymodernmet). Want to advertise with us? Visit [My Modern Met Media](https://mymodernmet.media/). Get Our Weekly Newsletter [![My Modern Met - Academy Logo](https://mymodernmet.com/assets/img/theme/academy-logo-white.svg)](https://academy.mymodernmet.com/) [Learn Art Online](https://academy.mymodernmet.com/?utm_source=web&utm_medium=ad&utm_campaign=sidebar&utm_content=learn-art-online) [![Melissa De Nobrega](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Melissa-De-Nobrega-Portrait-Drawing.jpg)](https://academy.mymodernmet.com/courses/portrait-drawing-for-beginners?utm_source=web&utm_medium=ad&utm_campaign=sidebar&utm_content=course) [Portrait Drawing for Beginners: Learn How to Draw Anyone You’d Like](https://academy.mymodernmet.com/courses/portrait-drawing-for-beginners?utm_source=web&utm_medium=ad&utm_campaign=sidebar&utm_content=course) [VIEW ALL COURSES](https://academy.mymodernmet.com/collections?category=courses&utm_source=web&utm_medium=ad&utm_campaign=sidebar&utm_content=all-courses) [Visit Our Store](https://store.mymodernmet.com/) [![Visit Our Store](<data:image/svg+xml,\<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 %d %d"\>\</svg\>>) Herding Cats Puzzle by Nervous System \$75.00](https://store.mymodernmet.com/products/herding-cats-puzzle "Visit Our Store") [Shop All Products](https://store.mymodernmet.com/) [![](https://mymodernmet.com/assets/img/theme/memberful-sidebar-background.jpg) Become a My Modern Met Member As a member, you'll join us in our effort to support the arts. Become a Member Explore member benefits](https://mymodernmet.com/my-modern-met-membership) ### Get Our Weekly Newsletter [![My Modern Met - Academy Logo](https://mymodernmet.com/assets/img/theme/academy-logo-black-v2.svg)](https://academy.mymodernmet.com/) [Learn From Top Artists](https://academy.mymodernmet.com/) [VIEW ALL COURSES](https://academy.mymodernmet.com/collections?category=courses&utm_source=web&utm_medium=ad&utm_campaign=banner) [![](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/academy-11.jpeg) ![Dimitra Milan](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Dimitra-Milan-1.jpg) ![](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/academy-10.jpeg) ![](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/academy-5.jpeg) ![Margherita Cole](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Margherita-Cole-7-2.jpg) ![Melissa de Nobrega](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Melissa-de-Nobrega-2.jpg) ![](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/academy-9.jpeg) ![](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/academy-6.jpeg) ![Melissa de Nobrega](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Melissa-de-Nobrega-1.jpg) ![Danison Fronda](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Danison-Fronda-Hand-Lettering-06.jpeg) ![Margherita Cole](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Margherita-Cole-1-2.jpg) ![Dimitra Milan](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Dimitra-Milan-3.jpeg) ![](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/academy-4.jpeg) ![Dimitra Milan](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Dimitra-Milan-4.jpeg) ![Dimitra Milan](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Dimitra-Milan-5.jpeg) ![](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/academy-7.jpeg) ![](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/academy-13.jpeg) ![](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/academy-12.jpeg) ![Belinda Richards](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Belinda-Richards-3.jpg) ![Belinda Richards](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Belinda-Richards-5.jpeg) ![](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/academy-23.jpeg) ![Demi Lang](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Demi-Lang-Architectural-Drawing-02.jpeg) ![](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/academy-20.jpeg) ![](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/academy-18.jpeg) ![](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/academy-17.jpeg) ![](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/academy-22.jpeg) ![](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/academy-21.jpeg) ![](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/academy-14.jpeg) ![](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/academy-19.jpeg) ![](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/academy-15.jpeg) ![](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/academy-16.jpeg) ![Floor Geibels](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Floor-Geibels-1.jpeg) ![Belinda Richards](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Belinda-Richards-4.jpg) ![Maria Zamyatina](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Maria-Zamyatina-1.jpg) ![Belinda Richards](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Belinda-Richards-2.jpg) ![Maria Zamyatina](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Maria-Zamyatina-2.jpg) ![Megan Elizabeth](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Megan-Elizabeth-4.jpg) ![](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/academy-26.jpeg) ![Anna Zakirova](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Anna-Zakirova-5.jpg) ![](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/academy-30.jpeg) ![Floor Geibels](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Floor-Geibels-1.jpeg) ![](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/academy-29.jpeg) ![](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/academy-27.jpeg) ![Anna Zakirova](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Anna-Zakirova-3.jpg) ![Megan Elizabeth](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Megan-Elizabeth-3.jpg) ![Megan Elizabeth](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Megan-Elizabeth-2.jpg) ![](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/academy-24.jpeg) ![](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/academy-28.jpeg) ![](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/academy-25.jpeg) ![](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/academy-32.jpeg) ![Maria Zamyatina](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Maria-Zamyatina-3.jpg) ![Anna Sokolova](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Anna-Sokolova-1.jpg) ![](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Anna-Sokolova-2.jpg) ![](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/academy-31.jpeg) ![](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/academy-34.jpeg) ![](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/academy-36.jpeg) ![Dimitra Milan](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/academy-39.jpeg) ![Khara Plicanic](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Khara-Plicanic-3.jpeg) ![](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/academy-41.jpg) ![](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/academy-40.jpg) ![Anna Zakirova](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Anna-Zakirova-1.jpg) ![Khara Plicanic](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Khara-Plicanic-1.jpg) ![Anna Zakirova](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Anna-Zakirova-4.jpg) ![Nitika Ale](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Nitika-Ale-3.jpeg) ![Khara Plicanic](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Khara-Plicanic-2.jpeg) ![](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/academy-33.jpeg) ![Nitika Ale](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Nitika-Ale-2.jpeg) ![](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/academy-35.jpeg) ![](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/academy-37.jpeg) ![](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/academy-38.jpeg) ![Khara Plicanic](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Khara-Plicanic-5.jpeg) ![Play Visual Animations](https://mymodernmet.com/assets/img/theme/academy-play-button.svg) ![Pause Visual Animations](https://mymodernmet.com/assets/img/theme/academy-pause-button.svg)](https://academy.mymodernmet.com/) [My Modern Met Store](https://store.mymodernmet.com/) [Shop All Products](https://mymodernmet.store/) [![](<data:image/svg+xml,\<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 %d %d"\>\</svg\>>) Vintage-Inspired Bird Scarf by Shovava \$62.00](https://store.mymodernmet.com/products/bird-scarf) [![](<data:image/svg+xml,\<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 %d %d"\>\</svg\>>) Frida Kahlo Action Figure by Today is Art Day \$29.99](https://mymodernmet.store/products/frida-kahlo-action-figure) [![](<data:image/svg+xml,\<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 %d %d"\>\</svg\>>) Big Wooden Cat Pile Game by Comma \$39.95](https://mymodernmet.store/products/big-wooden-cat-pile-game) [![](<data:image/svg+xml,\<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 %d %d"\>\</svg\>>) Viviva Colorsheets by Viviva Colorsheets \$19.95](https://mymodernmet.store/products/viviva-colorsheets) [Shop All Products](https://mymodernmet.store/) ### Related Articles [![](<data:image/svg+xml,\<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 %d %d"\>\</svg\>>)](https://mymodernmet.com/moon-crater-carroll-artemis-ii/) [NASA’s Artemis II Crew Name Newly Discovered Moon Crater After Astronaut’s Late Wife, Carroll](https://mymodernmet.com/moon-crater-carroll-artemis-ii/) [![](<data:image/svg+xml,\<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 %d %d"\>\</svg\>>)](https://mymodernmet.com/nasa-artemis-ii-lunar-flyby-images/) [NASA Shares Breathtaking Images From the Artemis II Lunar Flyby](https://mymodernmet.com/nasa-artemis-ii-lunar-flyby-images/) [![](<data:image/svg+xml,\<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 %d %d"\>\</svg\>>)](https://mymodernmet.com/national-geographic-orion-launch-slow-mo/) [Marvel at NASA’s Artemis II Mission Launch by Watching It in Extreme Slow Motion](https://mymodernmet.com/national-geographic-orion-launch-slow-mo/) [![](<data:image/svg+xml,\<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 %d %d"\>\</svg\>>)](https://mymodernmet.com/victor-glover-easter-message-from-outerspace/) [Watch Artemis II Astronaut Deliver an Uplifting Easter Message From Outer Space](https://mymodernmet.com/victor-glover-easter-message-from-outerspace/) [![](<data:image/svg+xml,\<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 %d %d"\>\</svg\>>)](https://mymodernmet.com/artemis-ii-astronauts/) [Meet the Four Astronauts Who Are Currently on Their Way to the Moon](https://mymodernmet.com/artemis-ii-astronauts/) [![](<data:image/svg+xml,\<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 %d %d"\>\</svg\>>)](https://mymodernmet.com/nasas-artemis-ii-launch/) [NASA’s Artemis II Launches First Crewed Moon Mission in Decades](https://mymodernmet.com/nasas-artemis-ii-launch/) ### More on My Modern Met [![](<data:image/svg+xml,\<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 %d %d"\>\</svg\>>)](https://mymodernmet.com/total-lunar-eclipse-march-2026/) [Total Lunar Eclipse Will Turn the Full Moon a Rich Copper‑Red in March](https://mymodernmet.com/total-lunar-eclipse-march-2026/) [![](<data:image/svg+xml,\<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 %d %d"\>\</svg\>>)](https://mymodernmet.com/gru-space-moon-hotel/) [Team of Scientists and Engineers Unveil Plans for the First Hotel on the Moon](https://mymodernmet.com/gru-space-moon-hotel/) [![](<data:image/svg+xml,\<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 %d %d"\>\</svg\>>)](https://mymodernmet.com/timelapse-kepler-supernova-remnant/) [Timelapse by NASA Reveals How a Supernova Remnant Has Grown Over 25 Years](https://mymodernmet.com/timelapse-kepler-supernova-remnant/) [![](<data:image/svg+xml,\<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 %d %d"\>\</svg\>>)](https://mymodernmet.com/first-wheelchairuser-in-space/) [German Aerospace Engineer Becomes First Wheelchair User To Go to Space](https://mymodernmet.com/first-wheelchairuser-in-space/) [![](<data:image/svg+xml,\<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 %d %d"\>\</svg\>>)](https://mymodernmet.com/astronaut-jonny-kim-returns-to-earth/) [Astronaut Jonny Kim Returns to Earth After 245 Days Aboard the International Space Station](https://mymodernmet.com/astronaut-jonny-kim-returns-to-earth/) [![](<data:image/svg+xml,\<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 %d %d"\>\</svg\>>)](https://mymodernmet.com/artemis-ii-ready/) [Artemis II Astronauts Preparing for the Moon Say They’re “Ready for Every Scenario”](https://mymodernmet.com/artemis-ii-ready/) ### Get Our Weekly Newsletter ### My Modern Met Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening. - [Art](https://mymodernmet.com/category/art/) - [Design](https://mymodernmet.com/category/design/) - [Photography](https://mymodernmet.com/category/photography/) - [Architecture](https://mymodernmet.com/category/architecture/) - [DIY](https://mymodernmet.com/category/diy/) - [Career](https://mymodernmet.com/category/career/) - [Resources](https://mymodernmet.com/category/resources/) - [Classes](https://mymodernmet.com/category/classes/) - [Environment](https://mymodernmet.com/category/environment/) - [Science](https://mymodernmet.com/category/science/) - [Technology](https://mymodernmet.com/category/technology/) - [Travel](https://mymodernmet.com/category/travel/) - [Academy](https://academy.mymodernmet.com/) - [Store](https://mymodernmet.store/) © 2026. All rights reserved. - [About](https://mymodernmet.com/about/) - [Editorial Policy](https://mymodernmet.com/editorial-policy/) - [Team](https://mymodernmet.com/team/) - [Submit Content](https://mymodernmet.com/submit-content/) - [Contact](https://mymodernmet.com/contact/) - [Advertise](https://mymodernmet.media/) - [Affiliate Disclosure](https://mymodernmet.com/affiliate-disclosure/) - [Privacy](https://mymodernmet.com/privacy-policy/) - [Terms](https://mymodernmet.com/terms-conditions/) Designed in collaboration with [Electric Pulp](https://www.electricpulp.com/)
Readable Markdown	![Portrait of Neil Armstrong](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/apollo-11-moon-landing-celebration-8.jpg) Neil Armstrong inside the Lunar Module as it rests on the lunar surface after completion of his historic moonwalk. This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met may earn an affiliate commission. Please read [our disclosure](https://mymodernmet.com/affiliate-disclosure/) for more info. Most Americans are familiar with astronaut Neil Armstrong‘s declaration “That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” which took place as he became the first man to step foot on the moon. Fifty years after the historic [Apollo 11 moon landing](https://mymodernmet.com/apollo-11-50-year-anniversary/), the successful mission continues to capture the imagination of the public. And while all members of the three-man crew were celebrated as heroes, Armstrong was catapulted to fame. But did you ever wonder why it was Armstrong who got the honor of walking on the moon first? Armstrong, who was the mission's commander, was joined on Apollo 11 by astronauts Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin Jr. and Michael Collins. While Collins, as the Command Module Pilot, stayed behind, Buzz Aldrin joined Armstrong on the moon 19 minutes later. As Lunar Module Pilot, it would have made sense for Aldrin to take the honor as first on the moon. In fact, that is what was dictated by standard protocol. As the commander had a great number of responsibilities on board, it was typically the junior crew member who conducted spacewalks when called for. In a 2014 [AMA on Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/2a5vg8/i_am_buzz_aldrin_engineer_american_astronaut_and/), Aldrin revealed his take on why the switch was made. “There was a group at NASA who felt the junior person (me) should go out first, but many people felt the great symbology of the commander from past expeditions or arrivals at a destination,” Aldrin explained. “The decision that was made was absolutely correct as far as who went out first, symbolically.” ![Neil Armstrong On The Moon](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/apollo-11-moon-landing-celebration-19.jpg) Neil Armstrong at the modular equipment storage assembly (MESA) of the Lunar Module “Eagle” on the historic first extravehicular activity (EVA) on the lunar surface. Astronaut Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin Jr. took the photograph with a Hasselblad 70mm camera. Most photos from the Apollo 11 mission show Buzz Aldrin. This is one of only a few that show Neil Armstrong (some of these are blurry). Aldrin went on to note that neither he nor Armstrong was involved in the decision, stating that it was “up to people much higher up in NASA.” This was confirmed by legendary NASA engineer Christopher Columbus Kraft Jr., who was NASA's first light director. In Craig Nelson's book [Rocket Men, The Epic Story of the First Men on the Moon](https://amzn.to/2K29WG7), Kraft tells his version of how the decision was made. “The first man on the moon would be a legend, an American hero beyond Lucky Lindbergh, beyond any soldier or politician or inventor,” Kraft [recounted](https://books.google.it/books?id=LWMivGgbM7kC&pg=PT26&lpg=PT26&dq=figured+the+commander+ought+to+be+the+first+guy+out&source=bl&ots=UfS_kGuvg1&sig=ACfU3U1_YC35NmiowVLw5CfgdB1yeNdodA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiss_u5h8vjAhWI_aQKHSDOC7IQ6AEwAHoECAcQAQ#v=onepage&q=figured%20the%20commander%20ought%20to%20be%20the%20first%20guy%20out&f=false). “It should be Neil Armstrong. I brought my ideas to Deke \[Slayton, director of NASA flight operations\], and then to George Low \[manager of the Apollo Spacecraft Program Office\]. They thought so too.” Interestingly, NASA's historic telling of the event is a bit different. Their [official website](https://history.nasa.gov/SP-350/ch-8-7.html) states that the decision was less about who would be a national hero and more about the practical design of the lunar module. The hatch was located on the opposite side of where Aldrin was to be seating. This meant that for him to get out first, he'd have to climb over his fellow crew member while both were wearing bulky spacesuits. Thus, it made more logical sense for Armstrong, who was seated next to the hatch, to climb out first. ![Portrait of NASA Astronaut Neil Armstrong](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/neil-armstrong-first-man-moon.jpg) Neil Armstrong in April 1969 Deke Slayton's account, which is also published in Nelson's book, confirms that the true decision was a mixture between these two factors. “\[Aldrin exiting first\] didn't sound right to me based on the configuration of the spacecraft…and secondly, just on a pure protocol basis, I figured that the commander ought to be the first guy out.” As the first man to step on the moon, Armstrong was launched into history. Rather than take immediately to the spotlight, his family called him a “reluctant American hero.” More comfortable keeping a low profile, he was a humble person who often turned down interviews and requests for public appearances. This humility is reflected in a quote from a rare interview he gave in 2005 with 60 Minutes. “Friends and colleagues all of a sudden looked at us, treated us, slightly differently than had months or years before when we were working together. I never quite understood that.” h/t: \[[IFL Science\!](https://www.iflscience.com/space/why-neil-armstrong-was-the-first-person-on-the-moon-according-to-buzz-aldrin/)\] #### All images via [NASA Commons](https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasacommons/albums/with/72157634973926806). ## Related Articles: [More Than 8,400 Never-Before-Seen Photos from NASA’s Apollo Moon Landings](https://mymodernmet.com/nasa-apollo-moon-landings/) [10 Creative Books to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Moon Landing](https://mymodernmet.com/best-books-about-moon-landing/) [Neil Armstrong’s Spacesuit Is Back on Display at the National Air and Space Museum](https://mymodernmet.com/neil-armstrong-spacesuit-on-display/) [Meet Margaret Hamilton, the Woman Who Helped NASA Land on the Moon](https://mymodernmet.com/margaret-hamilton-software-engineering/)
Shard	20 (laksa)
Root Hash	6135883671220228220
Unparsed URL	com,mymodernmet!/why-was-neil-armstrong-first-man-on-moon/ s443