Michael Collins
Awards & Honours
5
Awards Won
3
Honours
2
Records
Michael Collins's achievements are defined by his critical role in the first Moon landing, a feat that remains one of humanity's greatest accomplishments. He was one of only 24 people to have flown to the Moon, and his solo orbit on the far side is a unique moment in exploration history. His memoir Carrying the Fire is considered a classic of space literature. Collins also set an altitude record on Gemini X and performed the first spacewalk to retrieve an experiment. His public service continued as director of the National Air and Space Museum, where he oversaw the opening of the iconic building on the National Mall.
Awards
Honours & Distinctions
Major General, U.S. Air Force Reserve
Promoted to major general in the Air Force Reserve.
Hall of Fame Induction
Inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame.
Honorary Degrees
Received honorary degrees from six institutions.
Records & Feats
Highest altitude attained by a human at the time
On Gemini X, Collins and Young reached an altitude of 475 miles (764 km), a record for crewed spaceflight at the time.
Only Apollo 11 crew member to not walk on the Moon
Collins is the only member of the Apollo 11 crew who did not set foot on the lunar surface, instead remaining in orbit.