Intro music.
On July 20, 1969, the world watched in awe as humans made history on the Moon.
Thirty-five years ago, Apollo 11 proved to the world that humankind could break the bonds of gravity and make it to another heavenly body.
The landing was a nail-biting experience for Commander Neil Armstrong, Lunar Module Pilot Buzz Aldrin, and flight controllers on the ground.
Alarms blared inside the Lunar Module, signaling that the computer was overtaxed.
But Armstrong expertly guided the spacecraft over a field of boulders to a safe landing in the Sea of Tranquility -- with only 30 seconds of fuel remaining.
Armstrong made the first bootprint on the dusty lunar surface, and was soon joined by Aldrin.
"That's one small step for man... one giant leap for mankind.
"Wow that looks beautiful from here, Neil."
"It has a stark beauty all its own, it's like much of the high desert of the United States.
It's different but it's very pretty out here."
The two spent two and a half hours exploring the area surrounding the Lunar Module while Command Module Pilot Michael Collins orbited overhead.
The three returned to Earth July 24 with more than 40 pounds of moon rocks.
Crowd cheering
But more importantly, Apollo 11 paved the way for five more Apollo missions...
Rocket roaring
and for the Vision of Space Exploration we are embarking on today.