Buzz Aldrin: Moonwalker, Pioneer, and His Famous Quotes

Buzz Aldrin, the Apollo 11 lunar module pilot, became the second person to walk on the Moon on July 20, 1969. But his story includes a lesser-known first: he was the first astronaut to earn a doctoral degree, a Doctor of Science in Astronautics from MIT (Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum). This article draws on official NASA records, museum profiles, and verified biographies to give you a clear, fact-checked account of his life, mission, and legacy.

Last checked: 2026-07-03

Full name: Edwin ‘Buzz’ Aldrin Jr. · Born: January 20, 1930 · Role on Apollo 11: Lunar Module Pilot · Moonwalk rank: Second person (after Neil Armstrong)

When did Buzz Aldrin pee on the Moon?

During the Apollo 11 moonwalk on July 20, 1969, Buzz Aldrin became the first person to urinate on the Moon. According to his own account, he used the urine collection device inside his spacesuit shortly after stepping onto the lunar surface. The moment is recorded in the Guinness World Records as the first time a human relieved themselves on another celestial body (Wikipedia). The act was not officially documented in NASA’s mission logs, but Aldrin later described it in his memoir Magnificent Desolation.

The exact time is not specified in publicly available NASA transcripts, but it is believed to have occurred within the first hour of the 2-hour-15-minute moonwalk. This detail, while minor, highlights the practical challenges of early space exploration.

The bottom line: Buzz Aldrin’s lunar urination remains a quirky footnote to the Apollo 11 mission, officially recognized by Guinness World Records.

What is Buzz Aldrin’s famous quote?

Buzz Aldrin is best known for describing the lunar landscape as “magnificent desolation.” He coined this phrase upon looking out of the lunar module’s window and later used it as the title of his autobiography (EBSCO Research Starters). The quote captures the stark beauty and isolation of the Moon.

“Magnificent desolation.”

– Buzz Aldrin, Apollo 11 Lunar Module Pilot, describing the lunar surface

The phrase has been widely reproduced in documentaries, articles, and educational materials. It is often used to contrast the awe of space travel with the barren reality of the lunar environment.

The implication: Aldrin’s “magnificent desolation” became one of the most evocative quotes of the Apollo era, encapsulating the emotional experience of walking on another world.

What was Buzz Aldrin’s education and early career?

Buzz Aldrin graduated third in his class from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering(NASA). He then served as a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, flying 66 combat missions in F-86 Sabre jets during the Korean War(New Jersey Hall of Fame).

After the war, Aldrin pursued graduate studies at MIT, earning a Doctor of Science in Astronautics in 1963 – the first astronaut to hold a doctorate(Smithsonian). His thesis focused on orbital mechanics, which later informed his work on space missions. He was selected for NASA’s third astronaut group in October 1963(NASA).

Aldrin’s first spaceflight was Gemini 12, launched November 11, 1966. During that four-day mission, he performed three spacewalks totaling about 5½ hours, setting a record for extravehicular activity (Lunar and Planetary Institute).

The pattern: From West Point to MIT to NASA, Aldrin’s academic and military training provided the foundation for his pioneering work in space.

What did Buzz Aldrin do after leaving NASA?

Buzz Aldrin resigned from NASA in July 1971 and retired from the U.S. Air Force as a colonel in March 1972(NASA). He then turned his attention to promoting human space exploration, especially crewed missions to Mars, a cause he championed through books, lectures, and public appearances(New Jersey Hall of Fame).

Aldrin received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal for his role in Apollo 11(EBSCO). He also appeared in films and television shows, playing himself in The Simpsons and other programs. In his later years, Aldrin became the last surviving Apollo 11 crew member after the deaths of Neil Armstrong in 2012 and Michael Collins in 2021.

What this means: After leaving NASA, Aldrin used his fame to advocate for space exploration, leaving a legacy that extends beyond the Apollo 11 mission.

How Buzz Aldrin compares to other Apollo astronauts

Buzz Aldrin is often compared to Neil Armstrong, the first man on the Moon. Armstrong, as commander, stepped onto the lunar surface about 19 minutes before Aldrin(NASA). While both were on the surface for the same duration, Armstrong’s role as commander gave him the first step. Aldrin is also distinct among early NASA astronauts for holding a doctoral degree, whereas most of his peers had military and engineering backgrounds without a PhD(Smithsonian).

Compared to later Apollo missions, Apollo 11 was relatively brief – only about 21 hours on the surface and 46 pounds of rock samples. Subsequent missions stayed longer, used rovers, and conducted more extensive geology. However, Aldrin and Armstrong’s mission set the foundation for all that followed.

In educational materials, Aldrin is often grouped with Armstrong as “the first two humans to walk on the Moon,” downplaying the ordinal distinction (National Geographic Kids). This framing emphasizes the shared achievement rather than the second-place label.

Did Buzz Aldrin attend Neil Armstrong’s funeral?

Buzz Aldrin did not attend Neil Armstrong’s funeral in August 2012. Armstrong’s family requested a private service. Aldrin later expressed regret over not attending, stating publicly that he had not been invited to what he described as a private family ceremony. The two astronauts had remained publicly supportive of each other after Apollo 11(Wikipedia).

The bottom line: Armstrong’s funeral was a private event; Aldrin was not present and has since commented on the circumstances.

Is Buzz Aldrin still sober?

Buzz Aldrin has spoken publicly about his sobriety journey, which he detailed in his 2009 memoir Magnificent Desolation. He described reaching out to a mutual friend of his family in 1975 to seek help for alcohol abuse, a step that eventually led to his sobriety. As of the latest published accounts, Aldrin has maintained that he has been sober since the mid-1970s. No public reports contradict this timeline, and he has discussed his recovery candidly in interviews(EBSCO).

What this means: Sobriety, as described by Aldrin himself, has been a key part of his life story since the 1970s, and no recent documented incidents challenge that account.

Key milestones in Buzz Aldrin’s life

• January 20, 1930 – Born in Montclair, New Jersey
• 1951 – Graduates West Point, third in class
• 1951–1953 – Flies 66 combat missions in Korean War
• 1963 – Earns Sc.D. from MIT; selected in NASA’s third astronaut group
• November 11, 1966 – Launches on Gemini 12, sets EVA record
• July 16–24, 1969 – Apollo 11 mission; walks on the Moon
• July 1971 – Resigns from NASA
• March 1972 – Retires from U.S. Air Force
• 2012 – Becomes last surviving Apollo 11 crew member after Armstrong’s death

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