First man on the moon, Neil Armstrong, dies aged 82

NEIL Armstrong, the first man to walk on the Moon, has died at the age of 82.

The former Nasa astronaut underwent heart surgery earlier this month.

Moments after setting foot on the lunar surface, he famously uttered the often disputed quote: “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

A statement from Armstrong’s family said he died following complications resulting from cardiovascular procedures.

Armstrong commanded the Apollo 11 spacecraft that landed on the Moon on 20 July, 1969.

He and fellow astronaut Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin spent nearly three hours walking on the Moon, collecting samples, conducting experiments and taking photographs.

Leading tributes last night, astronomer Sir Patrick Moore said: “As the first man on the Moon, he broke all records. I knew him well. He was a man who had all the courage in the world.”

Mike Cruise, professor of astrophysics and space research at Birmingham University, said: “The people at the front of the race always have to tread on new ground. He led the whole world into a space era of greater proportion than has been achieved by satellites. You wonder when his first steps will be followed up.

“It must have been very awe-inspiring to step on to, essentially, a new planet.”

Former astronaut Tom Jones, who completed four space shuttle flights between 1990 and 2001, said: “He really was an inspiration to an entire generation of people.”

Jamie Burgess, from the National Space Centre, said: “I think it is safe to say [he was] a very brave man, a very courageous man.

“To be able to have that bravery is an incredible quality in a person. He is a fantastic character and will be sorely missed.”