The Moon Landing Was Almost Destroyed Because Of One Tiny Mistake

When Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins signed up for the Apollo 11 lunar landing mission, they knew what they were getting into. Mechanical failures, oxygen management, and sci-fi-inspired undocumented space diseases were just a few possibilities that could prevent them from ever returning to Earth.

Except, in the few hours Neil and Buzz spent on the Moon, a completely unexpected issue surfaced that threatened the entire mission. And though the world eventually watched the astronauts return safely home, reports on the most famous space mission would've been awfully different were it not for Buzz Aldrin's quick thinking.

Waiting for Help

On July 24, 1969, just after noon, Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong, and Michael Collins were floating on a raft in the Pacific Ocean, waiting patiently for helicopters from the USS Hornet to pluck them from the water.

Boarding the Naval Craft

Once brought aboard the naval craft, the three bold astronauts were hailed as heroes. Seamen rushed to greet them on the flight deck, but they were quickly hurried to the Mobile Quarantine Facility, where a special guest welcomed them home.

A Presidential Congrats

President Nixon congratulated Buzz, Neil, and Michael, highlighting their contributions to the U.S.A., Earth, and humanity. Yet, in the midst of the celebration, Buzz and the crew couldn't help but think about how the mission nearly ended in catastrophe.

Magnificent Desolation

Buzz Aldrin made the avoided disaster public in his his 2009 book Magnificent Desolation: The Long Journey Home from the Moon. Apparently, mankind's giant leap nearly faltered on the Moon.