1969 Apollo moon landing

The Apollo 11 rocket completes its final checks before take-off. Images courtesy of the NASA History Office and the NASA JSC Media Services Center.

NASA flight controller Steve Bales. Images courtesy of the NASA History Office and the NASA JSC Media Services Center.

The Apollo 11 rocket takes off. Images courtesy of the NASA History Office and the NASA JSC Media Services Center.

Mission control were hailed as the unsung heroes. Images courtesy of the NASA History Office and the NASA JSC Media Services Center.

The Apollo 11 rocket leaves the launch pad. Images courtesy of the NASA History Office and the NASA JSC Media Services Center.

The Apollo 11 lunar module approaches the command and service module for docking. Images courtesy of the NASA History Office and the NASA JSC Media Services Center.

'One small step for man" - Buzz Aldrin's boot and footprint in lunar soil. Images courtesy of the NASA History Office and the NASA JSC Media Services Center.

Buzz Aldrin erects solar wind equipment on the surface of the moon. Images courtesy of the NASA History Office and the NASA JSC Media Services Center.