Moon landing inspired first Scot in space
The first Scot in space yesterday hailed the moon landing as his childhood inspiration.
Virgin Galactic chief pilot Dave Mackay was at the helm of a test flight which entered space earlier this year.
He reflected on his lifelong love of space as the world celebrated the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing yesterday.
Millions tuned in on July 20, 1969, as Armstrong uttered the famous words “that’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” as Apollo 11’s landing craft arrived on the moon.
Mr Mackay, 61, said: “As Neil Armstrong stepped on to the surface, there was still that slight doubt in my mind about just how solid the surface was.
“I remember looking up at the Moon in the night sky and in awe that humans were actually on its surface. It was a very special and inspirational time.”
He said: “The actual landing was very much more complicated than actually stepping on to the lunar surface itself. It’s hard to imagine a more high-pressure event.
“It was undoubtedly the greatest feat of flying in aerospace history.”
President Donald Trump yesterday marked the anniversary at an Oval Office meeting with Apollo 11 astronauts.
The group included Buzz Aldrin, Mike Collins and the family of Armstrong, who died aged 82 in 2012.
The group were briefed on US plans to send astronauts back to the moon and to Mars.
Vice President Mike Pence also gave a speech at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.