In 1969, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins became the first men to visit the moon.
NASA recorded every word the astronauts said upon their arrival. But until now, only snippets have been released to the public. Here, at last, is the full transcript.
July 20, 1969, 20:18 UTC
[Neil Armstrong steps onto moon]
>>>>Neil Armstrong:
That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.
>>>>Mission Control:
Wow, Neil. That was beautiful.
[Buzz Aldrin steps onto moon]
>>>>Buzz Aldrin:
Uh…and indeed…that is another step taken by a man…and another good thing…that man did.
[Long pause.]
>>>>Mission Control:
Okay. Thank you for that, Buzz.
>>>>Buzz Aldrin: (whisper)
Damn it, Neil, why didn’t you tell me you were going to prepare a line? I looked like a freaking idiot just now.
>>>>Neil Armstrong: (whisper)
I thought I told you.
>>>>Buzz Aldrin: (whisper)
You know damn well you didn’t.
[Michael Collins steps onto moon.]
>>>>Michael Collins:
And so man hurtles headlong through the stars, daring, perchance, to reach his golden promise.
>>>>Mission Control:
Wow, Michael. That was fantastic.
[Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins high-five.]
>>>>Buzz:
Son of a bitch. Is this what you guys were doing yesterday, in the back of the module, with those pads and pencils? While I was mixing the Tang?
>>>>Neil:
Maybe.
>>>>Buzz:
Fuck you guys.
This article was originally published July 2012