Michael Collins (Mike Collins) - Nasa Astronaut, Family and Family
Michael Collins (Mike Collins)'s Personal Details
Michael Collins is a former American NASA astronaut and retired Major General
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | October 31, 1930 |
| Nationality | American |
| Famous | Harvard Business School, Miscellaneous, Astronauts, Command Module Pilot for Apollo 11 (the Spaceflight that Landed the First Humans on the Moon), Nasa Astronaut |
| Spouses | Patricia M. Finnegan |
| Siblings | James Lawton Collins |
| Known as | Mike Collins |
| Childrens | Michael Collins |
| Universities |
|
| Notable Alumnis |
|
| Birth Place | Rome |
| Height | 178 |
| Gender | Male |
| Father | James Lawton Collins |
| Mother | Virginia Stewart Collins |
| Net Worth | $100 million as of Apr 6,2017 |
| Sun Sign | Scorpio |
| Born in | Rome |
| Famous as | NASA Astronaut, Command Module Pilot for Apollo 11 (the spaceflight that landed the first humans on the Moon) |
Michael Collins (Mike Collins)'s photo
Who is Michael Collins (Mike Collins)?
Michael Collins is one of the three astronauts, who worked on the ‘Apollo 11’ mission, which made the first lunar landing, one of the biggest events in history of mankind. While his colleagues, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin stepped on the moon, Collins was the command module pilot of the mission, who orbited around the moon. After an initial rejection, Collins was chosen by NASA to be a part of the ‘Astronaut Group 3’. His first spaceflight assignment was the ‘Gemini 10’ mission, during which he performed the spacewalk. Michael Collins was an army man, before he joined NASA. He graduated from the United States Military Academy, after which he joined the United States Air Force and was commissioned to the Chambley-Bussieres Air Base, France. He has been the recipient of numerous honours and decorations including, the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, Collier Trophy, the Hubbard Medal and Presidential Medal of Freedom among many others. After he retired from NASA, he became Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs in the Department of State. He later established his own consulting business.
Childhood & Early Life
Michael Collins was born on October 31, 1930 in Rome, Italy, to James Lawton Collins, a U.S. Army Major General. Since his father served in the army, young Collins resided in several parts of the world, including, Rome, Oklahoma, Governors Island and New York, among many others.
He attended the Academia del Perpetuo Socorro in San Juan. He later attended the St. Albans School, Washington, D.C, where the family had moved during the World War II.
In 1952, he graduated from the United States Military Academy, where he finished 185th out of 527 cadets. The same year, he joined the United States Air Force.
He was trained at the T-6 Texan in Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, San Marcos Air Force Base and James Connally Air Force Base, Texas.
He later flew the F-86 Sabres at the Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, during the advanced day fighter training. He also learned to deliver nuclear weapons at the 21st Fighter-Bomber Wing at George Air Force Base, California.
In June 1954, he was commissioned to the Chaumont-Semoutiers Air Base, France, the front-line air base for the United States Air Force. Once, during a NATO exercise, his plane caught fire and he had to be rescued.
Career
In 1956, he was commissioned to work in West Germany owning the Hungarian Revolution, also known as the Hungarian Uprising, which took place that year.
He later attended an aircraft maintenance officer course at Chanute Air Force Base, Illinois. After the course, he worked at a Mobile Training Detachment and travelled to various Air Force bases for training mechanics on the servicing of new aircrafts.
On August 29, 1960, he joined the USAF Experimental Flight Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, California, after completing the minimum requirement of 1500 hours of flying.
In 1962, John Glenn’s Mercury Atlas 6 flight that circled the Earth in 90 minutes inspired him so much that he decided to become an astronaut. He applied to NASA for the second group of astronauts but was rejected.
He took up a course in basics of spaceflight at the SAF Aerospace Research Pilot School, previously the USAF Experimental Flight Test Pilot School. They also flew 90,000 feet in F-104 Starfighters.
In May 1963, be resumed his job as a fighter operator and in June that year when NASA called in for astronaut applications, he applied. He was selected for ‘Astronaut Group 3’ by NASA.
After training in NASA for 240 hours, in June 1965 he was appointed to work on his first crew assignment as a backup pilot for ‘Gemini 7’, a spaceflight in NASA's Gemini program.
After he completed his ‘Gemini 7’ assignment, he was assigned to work as a prime crew member in ‘Gemini 10’ along with John Young. After much training, he performed a spacewalk on the assignment.
He was the backup crew for the second manned Apollo flight but this was cancelled as it was similar to the previous Apollo 1 mission. After the cancellation, the crew were reassigned and he was promoted to the rank of command module pilot.
In 1968, he worked as the capsule communicator for the ‘Apollo 8’ mission and was responsible for communicating directly with the crew. This was the first spacecraft to reach the moon and return.
In July 1969, he went on the ‘Apollo 11’ mission, which landed the first humans on the moon. He was the third member of the mission and commanded spacecraft alone in the lunar orbit.
In 1970, he retired from NASA, after which he worked as the Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs in the Department of State. He later became the director of the National Air and Space Museum and until 1978 he held this position.
He became the under secretary of the Smithsonian Institution and in 1980, he was appointed as the Vice President of LTV Aerospace. In 1985, he found his own business, consulting firm, Michael Collins Associates.
Major Works
In his lifetime, he flew into the space twice. His first spaceflight was for Gemini 10 wherein he performed two rendezvous with different spacecrafts. His second spaceflight was for Apollo 11, wherein he was command module pilot. It was the first manned landing on the lunar surface. While he orbited the moon, his fellow space colleagues Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon.
Awards & Achievements
He was awarded the Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross, Congressional Gold Medal, NASA Distinguished Service Medal, Air Force Command Pilot Astronaut Wings and Presidential Medal of Freedom.
In 1969, he was the recipient of the Collier Trophy, an annual aviation award, which he received along with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.
In 1970, he was bestowed the Hubbard Medal by the National Geographic Society.
In 1999, along with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, he was awarded the Langley Gold Medal by the Smithsonian Institution.
Personal Life & Legacy
In 1957, he married Patricia M. Finnegan, whom he met in an officer’s mess. The couple have three children together.
He was a heavy smoker. Around 1962, he decided to quit smoking.
In 1968, he experienced many problems with his legs, which was later diagnosed as cervical disc herniation. He was operated for the same. It took him three months to recover and this made him miss the 'Apollo 9' mission.
In 1970, the English rock band, ‘JethroTull’ named a song , ‘For Michael Collins, Jeffrey and Me' from their album, ‘ Benefit’.
In 1974, his autobiographical book, ‘Carrying the Fire: An Astronaut's Journeys' was published. He has also authored the books, ‘Liftoff: The Story of America's Adventure in Space’, ‘Mission to Mars’ and ‘Flying to the Moon and Other Strange Places’.
He has been a Trustee of the National Geographic Society for a long time. He is currently the Trustee Emeritus.
In 1996, he was portrayed by actor Jim Meltzer in the film, ‘Apollo 11’. He was also the inspiration behind the miniseries, ‘From the Earth to the Moon’ and the TV movie, ‘Moon Shot’.
In 2007, he was seen in the documentary film, ‘In the Shadow of the Moon’. He also made a contribution to a book of the same name.
In 2010, he played a minor role in the coming of age film, ‘Youth in Revolt'.
Trivia
This American astronaut served as the command module pilot for Apollo 11 mission, which was the first manned mission on Moon. While his fellow space crew members walked on the moon, he orbited around the lunar body.
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Michael Collins (Mike Collins) biography timelines
- // 29th Aug 1500 To 29th Aug 1960On August 29, 1960, he joined the USAF Experimental Flight Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, California, after completing the minimum requirement of 1500 hours of flying.
- // 31st Oct 1930Michael Collins was born on October 31, 1930 in Rome, Italy, to James Lawton Collins, a U.S. Army Major General. Since his father served in the army, young Collins resided in several parts of the world, including, Rome, Oklahoma, Governors Island and New York, among many others.
- // 1952In 1952, he graduated from the United States Military Academy, where he finished 185th out of 527 cadets. The same year, he joined the United States Air Force.
- // Jun 1954In June 1954, he was commissioned to the Chaumont-Semoutiers Air Base, France, the front-line air base for the United States Air Force. Once, during a NATO exercise, his plane caught fire and he had to be rescued.
- // 1956In 1956, he was commissioned to work in West Germany owning the Hungarian Revolution, also known as the Hungarian Uprising, which took place that year.
- // 1957In 1957, he married Patricia M. Finnegan, whom he met in an officer’s mess. The couple have three children together.
- // 1962In 1962, John Glenn’s Mercury Atlas 6 flight that circled the Earth in 90 minutes inspired him so much that he decided to become an astronaut. He applied to NASA for the second group of astronauts but was rejected.
- // 1962He was a heavy smoker. Around 1962, he decided to quit smoking.
- // May 1963In May 1963, be resumed his job as a fighter operator and in June that year when NASA called in for astronaut applications, he applied. He was selected for ‘Astronaut Group 3’ by NASA.
- // Jun 1965After training in NASA for 240 hours, in June 1965 he was appointed to work on his first crew assignment as a backup pilot for ‘Gemini 7’, a spaceflight in NASA's Gemini program.
- // 1968In 1968, he worked as the capsule communicator for the ‘Apollo 8’ mission and was responsible for communicating directly with the crew. This was the first spacecraft to reach the moon and return.
- // 1968In 1968, he experienced many problems with his legs, which was later diagnosed as cervical disc herniation. He was operated for the same. It took him three months to recover and this made him miss the 'Apollo 9' mission.
- // 1969In 1969, he was the recipient of the Collier Trophy, an annual aviation award, which he received along with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.
- // Jul 1969In July 1969, he went on the ‘Apollo 11’ mission, which landed the first humans on the moon. He was the third member of the mission and commanded spacecraft alone in the lunar orbit.
- // 1970 To 1978In 1970, he retired from NASA, after which he worked as the Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs in the Department of State. He later became the director of the National Air and Space Museum and until 1978 he held this position.
- // 1970In 1970, he was bestowed the Hubbard Medal by the National Geographic Society.
- // 1970In 1970, the English rock band, ‘JethroTull’ named a song , ‘For Michael Collins, Jeffrey and Me' from their album, ‘ Benefit’.
- // 1974In 1974, his autobiographical book, ‘Carrying the Fire: An Astronaut's Journeys' was published. He has also authored the books, ‘Liftoff: The Story of America's Adventure in Space’, ‘Mission to Mars’ and ‘Flying to the Moon and Other Strange Places’.
- // 1980 To 1985He became the under secretary of the Smithsonian Institution and in 1980, he was appointed as the Vice President of LTV Aerospace. In 1985, he found his own business, consulting firm, Michael Collins Associates.
- // 1996In 1996, he was portrayed by actor Jim Meltzer in the film, ‘Apollo 11’. He was also the inspiration behind the miniseries, ‘From the Earth to the Moon’ and the TV movie, ‘Moon Shot’.
- // 1999In 1999, along with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, he was awarded the Langley Gold Medal by the Smithsonian Institution.
- // 2007In 2007, he was seen in the documentary film, ‘In the Shadow of the Moon’. He also made a contribution to a book of the same name.
- // 2010In 2010, he played a minor role in the coming of age film, ‘Youth in Revolt'.
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Michael Collins (Mike Collins)'s FAQ
What is Michael Collins (Mike Collins) birthday?
Michael Collins (Mike Collins) was born at 1930-10-31
Where is Michael Collins (Mike Collins)'s birth place?
Michael Collins (Mike Collins) was born in Rome
What is Michael Collins (Mike Collins) nationalities?
Michael Collins (Mike Collins)'s nationalities is American
Who is Michael Collins (Mike Collins) spouses?
Michael Collins (Mike Collins)'s spouses is Patricia M. Finnegan
Who is Michael Collins (Mike Collins) siblings?
Michael Collins (Mike Collins)'s siblings is James Lawton Collins
Who is Michael Collins (Mike Collins) childrens?
Michael Collins (Mike Collins)'s childrens is Michael Collins
What was Michael Collins (Mike Collins) universities?
Michael Collins (Mike Collins) studied at Harvard Business School, United States Military Academy, Harvard Business School, St. Albans School
What was Michael Collins (Mike Collins) notable alumnis?
Michael Collins (Mike Collins)'s notable alumnis is Harvard Business School
How tall is Michael Collins (Mike Collins)?
Michael Collins (Mike Collins)'s height is 178
Who is Michael Collins (Mike Collins)'s father?
Michael Collins (Mike Collins)'s father is James Lawton Collins
Who is Michael Collins (Mike Collins)'s mother?
Michael Collins (Mike Collins)'s mother is Virginia Stewart Collins
What is Michael Collins (Mike Collins)'s sun sign?
Michael Collins (Mike Collins) is Scorpio
How famous is Michael Collins (Mike Collins)?
Michael Collins (Mike Collins) is famouse as NASA Astronaut, Command Module Pilot for Apollo 11 (the spaceflight that landed the first humans on the Moon)