Buzz Aldrin Celebrates 96th Birthday as Artemis Missions Prepare for Moon Return

The last surviving Apollo 11 astronaut is honored as America prepares to send new crews to the lunar surface.

Feb. 2, 2026 at 3:55pm

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This month, the United States is scheduled to send four astronauts to the moon via the Artemis II mission, a historic achievement that will be closely watched by 96-year-old Buzz Aldrin, the last surviving crew member of the Apollo 11 mission. Aldrin, a decorated U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, Gemini spacewalker, and Apollo 11 lunar module pilot, was essential to the success of the Apollo program and became one of the first two humans to land on the moon.

Why it matters

Aldrin's extraordinary lifetime of service and exploration has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest explorers in human history. As the U.S. prepares to return astronauts to the moon, Aldrin's achievements serve as an inspiration and a reminder of the pioneering spirit that drove the original moon landing.

The details

Aldrin performed groundbreaking extravehicular activities during the Gemini 12 mission, proving that humans could work effectively in the vacuum of space. Three years later, he served as lunar module pilot of Apollo 11, where he and Neil Armstrong became the first humans to land on the moon. Aldrin has continued to shape America's future in space exploration, advocating for sending astronauts beyond low Earth orbit to explore the solar system and colonize the moon and Mars.

  • Buzz Aldrin turned 96 years old on January 20, 2026.
  • The Artemis II mission is scheduled to launch this month, sending four astronauts to the moon.
  • The Artemis III mission is scheduled for later this year, with a planned moon landing.

The players

Buzz Aldrin

A decorated U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, Gemini spacewalker, and Apollo 11 lunar module pilot who was essential to the success of the Apollo program and became one of the first two humans to land on the moon.

Neil Armstrong

Aldrin's fellow astronaut on the Apollo 11 mission, who became the first human to walk on the moon.

President Kennedy

Delivered the bold promise in 1962 at Rice University that the U.S. would land a man on the moon and return him safely to Earth, a goal that was achieved with the Apollo 11 mission.

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What they’re saying

“As we return to the moon, let's recognize Buzz Aldrin — the last surviving member of Apollo 11 and the oldest living astronaut — as the greatest explorer in the history of humankind.”

— Doug Centilli, Former Congressional Joint Economic Committee director of national economic policy and chief of staff to Rep. Kevin Brady

What’s next

The Artemis II mission is scheduled to launch this month, sending four astronauts to the moon, followed by the Artemis III mission later this year with a planned moon landing.

The takeaway

Buzz Aldrin's extraordinary achievements as one of the first humans to walk on the moon and his lifelong dedication to space exploration have cemented his legacy as one of the greatest explorers in history. As the U.S. prepares to return astronauts to the lunar surface, Aldrin's pioneering spirit and scientific contributions continue to inspire the next generation of space explorers.