Question 2 of 21

Buzz Aldrin was born in which state?

... The future astronaut was born in Montclair, N.J. His father was an Air Force colonel with a science doctorate from MIT.

Question 3 of 21

Buzz was Aldrin's nickname until he made it his legal first name in 1979. What is his given name?

... Though Edwin Eugene legally changed his name in 1979, he's nickname "Buzz" originated during childhood. Family stories say that one of his sisters pronounced "brother" as "buzzer."

Question 4 of 21

After graduating high school, Aldrin went to West Point, turning down a full scholarship from which school?

... Though he turned down MIT at first, he wasn't quite done with the school.

Question 5 of 21

Aldrin instead chose West Point. What did he major in?

... Like many other astronauts, Aldrin majored in mechanical engineering. He graduated third in his class.

Question 6 of 21

Aldrin was a decorated fighter pilot. Which war did he fly in?

... During the Korean War, Aldrin flew F86 Sabre jets in 66 combat missions. He shot down two MIG-15s and later received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his contributions.

Question 7 of 21

Aldrin finally did go to MIT. Which of these is his doctoral thesis?

... The rendezvous and docking strategies he developed are still used today.

Question 8 of 21

Aldrin joined the astronaut corps in 1963. Which mission included his first spaceflight?

... Gemini 12 in 1966 also featured Aldrin making the first successful spacewalk and setting a record for extravehicular activity -- 5 1/2 hours.

Question 9 of 21

In the Apollo 11 mission, Neil Armstrong was the mission commander and Aldrin piloted the lunar landing module. Who was the third crew member?

... Collins also piloted Gemini 10.

Question 10 of 21

In training for the mission, Aldrin prepared for possible ejection by being dropped in a lake. Which of these was it?

... In May 1968, Aldrin was training at the U.S. Air Force Air Defense Command Life Support School of Perrin Air Force Base in Sherman, Tex.

Question 11 of 21

Aldrin and Armstrong did much of their pre-flight training at the Langley Lunar Landing Research Facility. Where is it?

... The research facility is located in Hampton, Virginia. Its precursor, Langley Field, was named in 1917 to honor pioneering aviator Samuel Pierpont Langley.

Question 12 of 21

The Apollo 11 Lunar Landing Module was named Eagle. What was the orbiter called?

... Though the official names were Columbia and Eagle, some of the early code names for the lander and orbiter were Haystack and Snowcone.

Question 13 of 21

What phrase did Aldrin use to describe the lunar surface?

... His second autobiography is titled 'Magnificent Desolation: The Long Journey Home from the Moon.'

Question 14 of 21

Aldrin administered communion to himself in the lunar lander. What Christian denomination does he belong to?

... He used materials given to him by members of Webster Presbyterian Church in Webster, Tex., southeast of Houston.

Question 15 of 21

Which of these experiments did Aldrin deploy on the lunar surface?

... The Solar Wind Collector gathered electrically charged particles emanating from the sun.

Question 16 of 21

Upon their return to Earth, the Apollo 11 crew splashed down 800 miles southwest of _________.

... President Nixon was onboard the USS Hornet in Hawaii to welcome them back.

Question 17 of 21

After their return to Earth, the Apollo 11 crew spent 24 days in which enclosure?

... The Mobile Quarantine Facility was transferred to Houston, where the crew spent a total of 21 days in isolation -- almost three times as long as they were in space.

Question 18 of 21

Which of these honors did all three Apollo 11 crew members receive?

... The Medal Of Freedom is the highest civilian honor in the U.S.

Question 19 of 21

Who named Aldrin to the Presidential Commission on the Future of the United States Aerospace Industry?

... President George W. Bush formed the commission in 2001.

Question 20 of 21

Which movie includes a character named for Aldrin?

... Buzz Lightyear of the 'Toy Story' films was named for the astronaut.

Question 21 of 21

When Aldrin appeared on Dancing with the Stars in 2010, which dances did he and partner Ashly Costa perform?

... They danced the cha-cha, foxtrot, and waltz to 'Cupid,' 'Fly Me to the Moon,' and 'What a Wonderful World.'

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