By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-10-30 17:20:22 | Updated at 2024-10-30 19:31:27
2 hours ago
The second man to walk on the moon has come forward with his pick for the 2024 presidential election.
Buzz Aldrin, 94, who walked on the lunar surface with Neil Armstrong in 1969, endorsed Donald Trump Wednesday, citing how America needs a 'a proven, serious, and tested leader.'
The legendary astronaut wrote in an address that Trump's previous term reignited America's interest in space, pushing for NASA to return the moon and venture to Mars.
'Over the years, I have seen our government's approach to space wax and wane, a fluctuating dynamic that has disappointed me from time to time,' Aldrin penned.
'But under the first Trump Administration, I was impressed to see how human space exploration was elevated, made a policy of high importance again.'
Buzz Aldrin, 94, who made history with Neil Armstrong when the two put boots on the lunar surface in 1969, endorsed Donald Trump, citing America needs a 'a proven, serious, tested leader for president'
Trump made a big push into space during his first term, signing an order in 2017 aimed at returning Americans to the moon and going to Mars.
The order followed many states he made about America's role beyond Earth.
'I will free NASA from the restriction of serving primarily as a logistics agency for low-Earth orbit activity—big deal,' Trump said in 2016.
'Instead, we will refocus its mission on space exploration. Under a Trump Administration, Florida and America will lead the way into the stars.'
Aldrin has spent much of his life in the space industry, piloting Gemini 12 in 1966 and manning the Apollo 11 lunar module.
'I have dedicated my life to the pursuit of scientific understanding, exploration, and an enduring human presence in space,' he said in the address.
'The importance of that mission, that calling, runs through every fiber of my being.
Aldrin was present in the Oval Office, standing at the former president's side , when the National Space Council was reinstated after being disbanded in 1993
Buzz Aldrin was one of the three astronauts in the 1969 Apollo 11 mission that took the first humans to the moon
'Over the years, I have seen our government's approach to space wax and wane, a fluctuating dynamic that has disappointed me from time to time.
'But under the first Trump Administration, I was impressed to see how human space exploration was elevated, made a policy of high importance again.'
Trump also reinstated the National Space Council, a body within the Executive Office in charge of space policy and strategy, which was disbanded in 1993.
And Aldrin was present in the Oval Office, standing at the former president's side, when the branch was signed back into life.
'Finally, under President Trump, the Nation's defense was enhanced with the creation of the U.S. Space Force– increasingly important as space becomes a contested domain,' the former astronaut wrote.
At the same time, I have been enthused and excited by the great advancements in the private sector space economy, led by visionaries like Elon Musk.
Musk has also publicly endorsed Trump, revealing Tuesday that part of the decision was the former president's support for space exploration.
However, Aldrin's endorsement was not solely based on what is beyond Earth, but also struggles Americans face in the country.
He cited economic challenges, stability in the nation's communities and rule of law concerns.
'For these reasons and others, we need a proven, serious, tested leader for president,' Aldrin said.
'I believe the nation is best served by voting for Donald J. Trump.
'I wholeheartedly endorse him for President of the United States. Godspeed President Trump, and God Bless the United States of America.'
Aldrin is the only one of the three Apollo astronauts alive today.
Armstrong died in 2012, while Mike Collins passed away in April 2021.
