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Was Neil Armstrong Nervous About the Moon Landing?

Environmental factors in space are dramatically different from Earth, because of these differences the daily rhythms of activity and heart rate of astronauts while they were in space were noted. Did you know, that on the infamous moon landing Neil Armstrong experienced an anxiety attack? 

Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon, experienced a quick anxiety attack when the controls were turned over to him for the moon landing. His heart rate went up to 150 bpm. The average bpm is within 60 to 100.

The Apollo 11 Astronauts Before Landing on the Moon

When The Saturn V rocket that raised the Apollo 11 astronauts to the Moon used 5,960,645 lbs of power to deliver 7,500,000 pounds of the jab. Neil Armstrong’s heart rate was 110 bpm. Michael Collins’ heart rate was 99 bpm. Buzz Aldrin’s heart rate was 88 bpm. 

That’s appealing damn amazing. I’m pretty sure mine would have been about 300 bpm. 

Neil Armstrong

Armstrong exclaimed, as he was steering the Lunar Lander, saw his heart rate rise to 156 bpm at touchdown during the Lunar decline. During the time, they were receiving several warnings and he only had 16 seconds of fuel remaining when he landed. By the time he stepped on the moon’s surface. Armstrong’s heart rate was at 112 bpm, which means he was more anxious about leaving the spaceship than when he was shooting off. (Source: Aviation Humor)

What were the Other Factors that Contributed to Armstrong’s Fast Heart Rate?

Armstrong was flying the lander while standing up, and as they landed on the moon, they would have felt the effects of its gravity one-sixth the portion of pull the Earth has, but still, more than they were accustomed to from their days in space. 

That counted physiological stressor could have caused their hearts to beat faster. Armstong’s heartbeat was even quicker than the moment of landing while exploring the moon, especially in the final moments when his activities included, as described by NASA, documented sample collection and transfer of sample return containers. 

His average was 110 bpm throughout the EVA but spiked up to around 160 at the end. Aldrin’s standard was 88.

The adrenaline, fight-or-flight takes over, and the heart rate increases as he’s going through that critical phase of flight. Then, his heart rate rapidly decreases after he’s got the go-to stay. we can see a rapid drop-off, where his comfort level increases, and he’s back down to normal in no time. While it was a maneuver he’d practiced for, it was the first time he’d done it, or any other human had executed it for real.

Dr. Cheryl Lowry, Associate Professor, University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. 

(Source: Popular Science)

Was it Difficult to Move Around on the Moon?

On our point of view, bouncing around on the moon seemed like it might have been easy, but that was not the case. 

They had to work against the suits. They recommended more pliable suits because they used up a lot of energy as they were trying to get their stuff done. The astronauts also desired gloves that permit better agility.

Dr. Ed Powers, Director, Aerospace Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch

(Source: Popular Science)

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