AIAA Mourns the Passing of Michael Collins Written 28 April 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Astronaut Michael Collins, Apollo 11 crew portrait, July 1969. | Credit: NASA
April 28, 2021 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) mourns the passing of Michael Collins, Apollo 11 astronaut and AIAA Fellow. AIAA Executive Director Dan Dumbacher made the following statement:
“Michael Collins was a space pioneer. As a U.S. Air Force test pilot and NASA astronaut, he pushed the boundaries of our knowledge about flight and the human spirit. We especially remember him and his crewmates, Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, for their bravery and courage in twice traversing the wine-dark sea of space to successfully complete the historic Apollo 11 mission. As an AIAA Fellow since 1976, he was recognized for his distinction in aeronautics and astronautics, having made valuable contributions to the field.
Collins’ advocacy and enthusiasm for space, as well as for STEM education before it had a name, are examples for us all to follow. We are grateful for what he showed us about how to explore our universe when he said, ‘I think a future flight should include a poet, a priest and a philosopher… we might get a much better idea of what we saw.’ Ad Astra, Michael Collins.”
AIAA Media Contact: Rebecca B. Gray, RebeccaG@AIAA.org, 804-397-5270.
About AIAA
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is the world’s largest aerospace technical society. With nearly 30,000 individual members from 91 countries, and 100 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense. For more information, visit www.aiaa.org, or follow AIAA on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn.