Making The Final Descent
They had to change the moon module’s orbit from circular to elliptical. This would allow them to go as close as 50,000 feet to the surface. By that point, the astronauts had no choice but to finish the last descent using Eagle’s engine. At a distance of 500 feet, Armstrong switched the spaceship to manual mode.

Making The Final Descent
They Landed On The Moon
Finally, the lunar module was successfully landed on the surface. “Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed,” Armstrong famously declared. Before they could leave the capsule, the original flight plan called for a four-hour rest time. Armstrong and Aldrin had to get ready to leave as soon as they arrived on the moon’s surface.

They Landed On The Moon

