{"id":55761,"date":"2021-04-28T14:59:00","date_gmt":"2021-04-28T18:59:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?migration=converted-node-470544"},"modified":"2023-07-26T16:07:30","modified_gmt":"2023-07-26T20:07:30","slug":"statements-on-passing-of-michael-collins","status":"publish","type":"press-release","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/news-release\/statements-on-passing-of-michael-collins\/","title":{"rendered":"Statements on Passing of Michael Collins"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/s69-31742_large.jpeg\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"1920\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/s69-31742_large.jpeg?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Astronaut Michael Collins, Apollo 11 command module pilot\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/s69-31742_large.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/s69-31742_large.jpeg?resize=240,300 240w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/s69-31742_large.jpeg?resize=768,960 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/s69-31742_large.jpeg?resize=819,1024 819w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/s69-31742_large.jpeg?resize=1229,1536 1229w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/s69-31742_large.jpeg?resize=320,400 320w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/s69-31742_large.jpeg?resize=480,600 480w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/s69-31742_large.jpeg?resize=720,900 720w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/s69-31742_large.jpeg?resize=960,1200 960w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Astronaut Michael Collins, Apollo 11 command module pilot <strong>Credits: NASA<\/strong><\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>The following is a statement from acting NASA Administrator Steve Jurczyk on the passing of Michael Collins:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cToday the nation lost a true pioneer and lifelong advocate for exploration in astronaut Michael Collins. As pilot of the Apollo 11 command module \u2013 some called him \u2018the loneliest man in history\u2019 \u2013 while his colleagues walked on the Moon for the first time, he helped our nation achieve a defining milestone. He also distinguished himself in the Gemini Program and as an Air Force pilot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMichael remained a tireless promoter of space. \u2018Exploration is not a choice, really, it\u2019s an imperative,\u2019 he said. Intensely thoughtful about his experience in orbit, he added, \u2018What would be worth recording is what kind of civilization we Earthlings created and whether or not we ventured out into other parts of the galaxy.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHis own signature accomplishments, his writings about his experiences, and his leadership of the National Air and Space Museum helped gain wide exposure for the work of all the men and women who have helped our nation push itself to greatness in aviation and space. There is no doubt he inspired a new generation of scientists, engineers, test pilots, and astronauts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNASA mourns the loss of this accomplished pilot and astronaut, a friend of all who seek to push the envelope of human potential. Whether his work was behind the scenes or on full view, his legacy will always be as one of the leaders who took America\u2019s first steps into the cosmos. And his spirit will go with us as we venture toward farther horizons.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The following is a statement from the Collins family:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe regret to share that our beloved father and grandfather passed away today, after a valiant battle with cancer. He spent his final days peacefully, with his family by his side. Mike always faced the challenges of life with grace and humility, and faced this, his final challenge, in the same way. We will miss him terribly. Yet we also know how lucky Mike felt to have lived the life he did. We will honor his wish for us to celebrate, not mourn, that life. Please join us in fondly and joyfully remembering his sharp wit, his quiet sense of purpose, and his wise perspective, gained both from looking back at Earth from the vantage of space and gazing across calm waters from the deck of his fishing boat.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For more information about Collins and his NASA career, visit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/michael-collins\/\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>-end-<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Marc Etkind \/ Jackie McGuinness<br>\nHeadquarters, Washington<br>\n202-358-1600<br>\n<a href=\"mailto:marc.r.etkind@nasa.gov\">marc.r.etkind@nasa.gov<\/a> \/ <a href=\"mailto:jackie.mcguinness@nasa.gov\">jackie.mcguinness@nasa.gov<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The following is a statement from acting NASA Administrator Steve Jurczyk on the passing of Michael Collins: \u201cToday the nation lost a true pioneer and lifelong advocate for exploration in astronaut Michael Collins. As pilot of the Apollo 11 command module \u2013 some called him \u2018the loneliest man in history\u2019 \u2013 while his colleagues walked […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":57881,"template":"","meta":{"nasa_hds_core_meta_l10n":"en-US","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_editor":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_contacts":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_topic":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_linked_locations":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_related_articles":[],"hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_id":"21-047","hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_type":"RELEASE","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_x":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_y":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_gallery_images":[]},"categories":[2713,2931,3215,2716,2944,3500,2655,2867,2671],"news-tags":[12373],"internal-terms":[9508,9505],"coauthors":[],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Statements on Passing of Michael Collins","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/news-release\/statements-on-passing-of-michael-collins\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/news-release\/statements-on-passing-of-michael-collins\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/s69-31742_large.jpeg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/s69-31742_large.jpeg"},"articleSection":"Missions","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"NASA"}],"creator":["NASA"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NASA","logo":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa\/assets\/images\/nasa-logo.svg"},"keywords":["NASA History","Apollo","Apollo 11","Former Astronauts","Gemini","Gemini X","Michael Collins","Missions","NASA Headquarters"],"dateCreated":"2021-04-28T18:59:00Z","datePublished":"2021-04-28T18:59:00Z","dateModified":"2023-07-26T20:07:30Z"},"rendered":"<meta name=\"parsely-title\" content=\"Statements on Passing of Michael Collins\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-link\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/news-release\/statements-on-passing-of-michael-collins\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-type\" content=\"post\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-image-url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/s69-31742_large.jpeg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-pub-date\" content=\"2021-04-28T18:59:00Z\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-section\" content=\"Missions\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-tags\" content=\"NASA History,Apollo,Apollo 11,Former Astronauts,Gemini,Gemini X,Michael Collins,Missions,NASA Headquarters\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-author\" content=\"NASA\" \/>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/nasa.gov\/p.js"},"read_time":3,"featured_image":{"id":57881,"file":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/s69-31742_large.jpeg","title":"s69-31742_large","alt":"Astronaut Michael Collins, Apollo 11 command module pilot","caption":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press-release\/55761"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press-release"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/press-release"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press-release\/55761\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":366813,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press-release\/55761\/revisions\/366813"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/57881"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=55761"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=55761"},{"taxonomy":"news-tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-tags?post=55761"},{"taxonomy":"internal-terms","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-terms?post=55761"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=55761"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}