Happy Birthday, You Space Bastard

October 31st, Michael Collins

Michael Collins,

October 31st, 1930.

At some point in the, perhaps not too distant, future, as The Meteor hurtles towards Earth, or Donald Trump drops ketchup on the nuclear launch button and begins The End, the human race might pause momentarily and take stock.

When I was a young man, growing up in the Terrified 80s when the Cold War had us teetering on the brink of nuclear armageddon in between TV ads for Pepsi featuring Michael Jackson and Manimal, the TV show in which a man, very unconvincingly, turned into an animal, we were told that in the event of an epoch ending, firey disaster, we should get under the dining room table with some tins of corned beef and wait for rescue.

Whilst we were down there, we could have, in that momentary pause before our eyes melted, pondered on who the most famous human being of all time might have been.

A good candidate for such a position might have been Neil Armstrong, the first human to ever walk on another space rock that wasn't our own planet. Buzz Aldrin might even come somewhere in the top five. But there were three astronauts who flew the Apollo 11 mission, and whilst the other two are universally famous, the third, Mike Collins, who piloted the command module Columbia around the Moon whilst the other two buggered about playing golf or whatever, is much less well known.

Michael Collins was born on October 31, 1930, in Rome, Italy, where his father, U.S. Army Major General James Lawton Collins, was stationed as a military attaché. Collins came from a military family with deep roots in service, and his family's history included several notable military leaders. His uncle, General J. Lawton Collins, was Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army during the Korean War, which reinforced Collins's exposure to military life and influenced his career path. Raised primarily in Washington, D.C., Collins moved frequently during his youth due to his father's assignments. This upbringing fostered his adaptability and independence, both crucial traits for his later career. He attended several different schools, including St. Albans School in Washington, D.C., where he first demonstrated academic strength and a keen interest in science. Later, he attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he graduated in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree.

Collins began his military career as a fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force. Initially trained on F-86 Sabre jets, he was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada and later completed advanced fighter training, which prepared him for a demanding aviation career. He was assigned to Hahn Air Base in West Germany with the 21st Fighter-Bomber Wing, where he became proficient in high-speed jet operations. However, Collins's interest increasingly turned toward the burgeoning field of space exploration, and he applied to the U.S. Air Force Experimental Flight Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base in California. Completing his training as a test pilot in 1960, he gained valuable experience with cutting-edge aerospace technology, particularly in high-altitude flight—skills that were foundational for a career in space exploration. In 1962, after an unsuccessful first attempt, Collins was selected as an astronaut by NASA during its third group intake in 1963, becoming one of the early pioneers in the United States' space program.

Collins's first spaceflight assignment came as the pilot of Gemini 10 in July 1966. Gemini 10's primary mission was to perform rendezvous and docking with the Agena target vehicle, as well as to conduct extravehicular activities (EVAs), or spacewalks. During the mission, Collins became the first astronaut to conduct two spacewalks in a single flight, spending a total of one hour and 28 minutes outside the spacecraft. His work contributed to NASA's understanding of the challenges and limitations of spacewalking, particularly in terms of manoeuvrability and fatigue. This experience prepared him for his later role in the Apollo program, NASA's effort to land humans on the Moon. Selected as the command module pilot for Apollo 11, the first lunar landing mission, Collins was tasked with one of the most critical roles of the mission: piloting the command module Columbia alone in lunar orbit while Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin descended to the lunar surface. During his time in lunar orbit, Collins orbited the Moon 30 times and maintained an orbit to support the return of the lunar module.

Throughout the Apollo 11 mission in July 1969, Collins's primary responsibility was to ensure the safe return of the lunar module and its crew, making him a crucial figure in the success of the mission. As he orbited the far side of the Moon, Collins experienced moments of complete isolation from humanity—a phenomenon that he later described as serene rather than lonely. His work aboard Columbia involved meticulous navigation, monitoring, and preparation for the lunar module's return. Although he did not descend to the lunar surface, Collins's role was vital to the mission's overall success. Upon re-entry to Earth, Collins, Armstrong, and Aldrin became celebrated figures worldwide. The Apollo 11 crew was lauded for their accomplishment, and their return marked a significant achievement in human space exploration, symbolizing America's success in the Space Race with the Soviet Union.

Following Apollo 11, Collins did not return to space. Instead, he opted for a career beyond NASA. He accepted a position as Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs under President Richard Nixon, where he served as a spokesperson for the U.S. government. However, he found this position unfulfilling and soon transitioned to the Smithsonian Institution, where he became the first director of the National Air and Space Museum. Under his leadership, the museum expanded significantly, eventually becoming one of the most visited museums in the world. He oversaw the construction of the museum's main building on the National Mall, which opened to the public in 1976, coinciding with the U.S. Bicentennial celebrations. The museum's exhibits highlighted aviation and space exploration achievements, making them accessible to millions of visitors annually. Collins later served as the Smithsonian Institution's undersecretary, overseeing the administration of multiple museums and facilities.

Beyond his museum work, Collins became a prolific author, writing several books about his experiences. His 1974 memoir, Carrying the Fire: An Astronaut's Journeys, is regarded as one of the most insightful personal accounts of the Apollo program. In the memoir, Collins offered a candid, technical, and philosophical perspective on spaceflight and his own experiences. His writing reflected his thoughtful approach to space exploration, focusing on the balance between scientific achievement and the personal impact of his missions. He continued to write on space exploration and its broader implications throughout his life, contributing to the public understanding of human spaceflight and the complexities involved.

In his personal life, Collins married Patricia Finnegan in 1957, with whom he had three children. The couple remained married until her passing in 2014. Collins was known for his reserved and thoughtful personality, often preferring privacy over public attention despite his significant role in space history. He maintained an active lifestyle and enjoyed hobbies like fishing, writing, and painting. Later in life, he lived in Florida, where he remained engaged in various activities that included environmental conservation efforts, particularly for Florida's coastlines. He participated in public speaking events and discussions on space exploration well into his retirement, advocating for the importance of continued exploration and pushing humanity's boundaries.

Collins died on April 28, 2021, in Naples, Florida, at the age of 90, following a battle with cancer. His death was widely mourned, with tributes from the space community and fans around the world. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson called him "a true pioneer and lifelong advocate for exploration." Collins's legacy endures through his contributions to space exploration, his leadership in the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, and his writings that provide a window into one of the most extraordinary periods in human history. Collins is remembered as an integral part of the Apollo 11 mission and for his lifelong dedication to advancing human knowledge and exploration.

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