https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/2a5vg8/i_am_buzz_aldrin_engineer_american_astronaut_and/
created by BuzzAldrinHere on 08/07/2014 at 18:03 UTC*
54417 upvotes, 66 top-level comments (showing 25)
I am hoping to be designated a lunar ambassador along with all the 24 living or deceased crews who have reached the moon. In the meantime, I like to be known as a global space statesman.
Today, we are launching a social media campaign which includes a YouTube Channel, #Apollo45. This is a channel where you can share your story, your parents', your grandparents', or your friends' stories of that moment and how it inspires you, with me and everyone else who will be watching.
I do hope you consider joining in. Please follow along at youtube.com/Apollo45[1].
1: http://www.youtube.com/Apollo45
Victoria from reddit will be assisting me today. Ask me anything.
https://twitter.com/TheRealBuzz/status/486572216851898368
Comment by 15chainz at 08/07/2014 at 18:05 UTC
615 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Mr. Aldrin, do you watch movies about people going to space, if so, which one is your favourite?
Comment by thekelseyscott at 08/07/2014 at 18:03 UTC
2245 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Is there any experience on Earth that even compares slightly to having been on the Moon?
Comment by TheBen1818 at 08/07/2014 at 19:41 UTC
272 upvotes, 1 direct replies
How did you guys decide who would walk on the moon first. Was it always going to be Neil from the beginning or was there some Rock Paper Scissors matches to decide?
Comment by shes-got-style at 08/07/2014 at 18:05 UTC
1659 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Do the pictures of space do any justice to the real thing?
Comment by ZazimashX at 08/07/2014 at 18:09 UTC
713 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Hello Mr. Aldrin! Is there anything you regret not getting to do while in space?
Comment by Seioch at 08/07/2014 at 18:33 UTC
311 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Hi Mr. Aldrin!
What advice would you like to give to a lab full of aspiring engineers and astrophysicists?
And...
What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Comment by riptide747 at 08/07/2014 at 18:26 UTC
871 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Col Aldrin, what went through your head when you first looked back and saw the Earth from space?
Comment by [deleted] at 08/07/2014 at 18:32 UTC
284 upvotes, 6 direct replies
[deleted]
Comment by [deleted] at 08/07/2014 at 18:25 UTC
373 upvotes, 1 direct replies
What's the most frightening moment that you have ever experienced in space?
Comment by jackard9 at 08/07/2014 at 18:06 UTC
334 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Mr Aldrin , what do you consider your biggest accomplishment that's totally unrelated to space?
Comment by DiegoVonCosmo at 08/07/2014 at 18:38 UTC
313 upvotes, 1 direct replies
If you had the opportunity to speak to the crew of the first manned mission to Mars prior to launch, what would you say to them?
Comment by Daniimal at 08/07/2014 at 18:25 UTC
416 upvotes, 2 direct replies
What advice can you give to current undergrad aerospace engineering students?
Comment by TaeyanGdragon at 08/07/2014 at 18:27 UTC
522 upvotes, 1 direct replies
How does it feel to be THE REAL buzz lightyear? Also how can I be an astronaut and go to the moon?
Comment by DocMichaels at 08/07/2014 at 18:03 UTC
544 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Sir, I just wanted to take a moment and say thank you for your push for Mars. You and the crew of 11 have, and continue to be an inspiration for all of us. As for a question: what can we, the American public, do to help push the powers that be into legitimate funding for new manned missions to back to the moon or to Mars? Thank you again!
Comment by iamaAMAfan at 08/07/2014 at 18:03 UTC
2834 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Hello Mr. Aldrin!
Our nation and our world have been waiting for another monumental achievement by humanity ever since you were a pioneer in the space race and set foot on the Moon. For lack of any serious government effort, I’m rooting for Elon Musk to accomplish this by sending man to Mars. What advice would you give Elon to achieve the ultimate objective of permanence on Mars?
Comment by [deleted] at 08/07/2014 at 18:26 UTC
210 upvotes, 1 direct replies
You were what kids wanted to be when they grew up.
What did you want to be when you were a kid?
Comment by Shattr at 08/07/2014 at 18:32 UTC
69 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Mr. Aldrin,
I've always been curious what it would be like to experience reentry. What kind of emotions and thoughts did you experience when falling back to the earth?
Comment by Reiniku at 08/07/2014 at 18:24 UTC
196 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Does actual astronaut food taste as bad as the novelty stuff we can randomly buy in stores?
Comment by jdanna at 08/07/2014 at 18:04 UTC*
2223 upvotes, 6 direct replies
Dr. Aldrin - My 2 year old son absolutely loves space, and last October we took him to your presentation and book signing at the Air and Space museum.
Afterwards you were kind enough to sign his copy of “Look to The Stars”, and to this day when I’m reading to him before bed, almost every night he tells me about the time he “Met Buzz Aldrin”, how you signed his book, and how he wants to “read about rockets and NASA”.
I just wanted to say thank you for all you’ve done for the world – not only by pushing the boundaries of exploration, but also by inspiring the next generation to dream to do the same.
My question – what is the best way to continue to foster my son’s interest in science and space exploration, as he grows up and his interests are inevitably pulled in many different directions?
Comment by tj_w at 08/07/2014 at 18:04 UTC
734 upvotes, 2 direct replies
How were the cast and crew of 30 Rock? Anything memorable you can share?
Comment by 311daren at 08/07/2014 at 18:38 UTC
281 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Mr Aldrin, I am interested in what kind of music a highly distinguished astronaut such are yourself would find yourself listening to. Could you enlighten me?
Comment by packet_splatter at 08/07/2014 at 18:13 UTC
610 upvotes, 3 direct replies
Thank you for doing the AMA!
Ever find time for computer games like Kerbal Space Program? I've gotten 3 kids more interested in math and science after showing it to them.
Have a fantastic day!
Comment by CoconutM1lk at 08/07/2014 at 18:30 UTC
53 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Was it more challenging to go through the training to become an astronaut, or to actually go to space?
Comment by GWJNorm at 08/07/2014 at 18:38 UTC
103 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Hello Mr. Aldrin,
If you were given the opportunity to go to the Moon again, would you?
Comment by Macon-Bacon at 08/07/2014 at 18:12 UTC
169 upvotes, 3 direct replies
How can I make the biggest possible contribution to human space exploration?
I’ve been looking into this for quite some time now, trying to get a big-picture view, so I can hone in on areas where I can make the biggest impact. I have the temperament and drive to be an astronaut or a SpaceX employee, but both of those areas are already flooded with applicants. The Mars Society has done some fantastic research, but most of their work is preliminary proof-of-concept stuff, and not equipment that could actually be taken to Mars. Robert Bigelow took an even more indirect approach, and spent his life earning as much money as he could, so that he could afford to fund space exploration. It’s arguable that Sci-Fi authors inspire more real scientific work than they could ever have hoped to research themselves. What’s the best approach? What areas of research are the most critical?