Apollo 11: Big moments in historic mission to moon 50 years ago (25 images)

This interior view of the Apollo 11 lunar module shows Aldrin during the lunar landing mission. This picture was taken by Armstrong on July 20, 1969. File Photo by Neil Armstrong/NASA

The lunar module Eagle is shown in lunar orbit on July 20, 1969 prior to its descent to the surface of the moon. At 1:28 p.m. EDT the day before, the module went into orbit around the moon. The long "rod-like" protrusions under the legs are lunar surface sensing probes. Upon contact with the lunar surface, the probes sent a signal to the crew to shut down the descent engine. File Photo by Michael Collins/NASA

The lunar module ascent stage, with astronauts Armstrong and Aldrin aboard, is photographed from the command and service modules in lunar orbit on July 20, 1969. Collins, command module pilot, remained with the command module in lunar orbit while Armstrong and Aldrin explored the moon's surface. This photo shows the lunar module approaching from below. The coordinates of the center of the lunar terrain are 102 degrees east longitude and 1 degree north latitude. File Photo courtesy of NASA

The command and service modules are photographed from the lunar module in lunar orbit on July 20, 1969. The lunar surface below is in the north central Sea of Fertility. The coordinates of the center of the picture are 51 degrees east longitude and 1 degree north latitude. About half of the crater Taruntius G is visible in the lower left corner of the picture. Part of Taruntius H can be seen at lower right. File Photo courtesy of NASA