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Michael Collins

Michael Collins (1930–2021) was an American astronaut, test pilot, and U.S.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Michael Collins (1930–2021) was an American astronaut, test pilot, and U.S. Air Force Reserve major general. He flew on Gemini 10 and served as command module pilot for Apollo 11, orbiting the Moon while Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin made the first crewed lunar landing.

Early life and military career

Michael Collins was born in Rome in 1930 and later served as a fighter pilot and test pilot in the U.S. Air Force. He was selected by NASA in 1963 as one of the astronauts in the agency’s third astronaut class.

Gemini 10

Collins’s first spaceflight was Gemini 10 in 1966. During the mission, he and John Young carried out rendezvous operations and two spacewalks.

Apollo 11

Collins’s best-known mission was Apollo 11, the first crewed lunar landing mission. He remained in lunar orbit as command module pilot while Armstrong and Aldrin descended to the Moon’s surface.

Later life and legacy

After NASA, Collins held leadership roles, including director of the National Air and Space Museum. He also authored books about his experiences, including his widely noted memoir.

Key facts

  • Collins was selected by NASA in 1963 as part of its third astronaut group.
  • He flew on Gemini 10 in 1966 and completed two spacewalks on that mission.
  • He served as command module pilot for Apollo 11 in 1969.
  • While Armstrong and Aldrin landed on the Moon, Collins orbited it in the command module Columbia.
  • After leaving NASA in 1970, he became director of the National Air and Space Museum.
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Canadian context

Michael Collins is relevant to Canadian readers through his role in the history of human spaceflight and as a major figure in Apollo-era astronautics, a subject of interest in Canadian science and space education.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Michael Collins?
He was an American astronaut, test pilot, and U.S. Air Force Reserve major general best known for serving as Apollo 11 command module pilot.
Did Michael Collins walk on the Moon?
No. He remained in lunar orbit aboard the command module while Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the Moon.
How many space missions did he fly?
He flew two space missions: Gemini 10 and Apollo 11.
How many spacewalks did he complete?
He completed two spacewalks during Gemini 10.
What was Michael Collins’s role in Apollo 11?
He was the command module pilot, responsible for orbiting the Moon and operating the command module Columbia.

References

  1. NASA — https://www.nasa.gov/former-astronaut-michael-collins/
    Supports: Birth, astronaut selection, Gemini 10 and Apollo 11 missions, total space hours, EVA time, and NASA career details.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Michael-Collins-American-astronaut
    Supports: Biographical overview, Apollo 11 role, birth and death details.
  3. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum — https://airandspace.si.edu/explore/stories/michael-collins
    Supports: Gemini 10 spacewalks, Apollo 11 role, and later museum directorship.