US astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the moon, has died at the age of 82.
Earlier this month he had surgery to relieve blocked coronary arteries.
He walked on the moon on July 20, 1969, famously describing the event as “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”.
Last November Armstrong, along with three other astronauts, received the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest US civilian award.
An estimated 600 million people – a fifth of the world’s population – watched and listened to the first moon landing, the largest audience for any single event in history.
Announcing his death, Mr Armstrong’s family said in a statement: “We are heartbroken to share the news that Neil Armstrong has passed away following complications resulting from cardiovascular procedures.
According to NBC News, the Armstrong family wrote in a statement: ‘Next time you walk outside on clear night and see the moon smiling down at you, think of Neil and give him a wink.’
NASA, too, was quick to express their sympathies, tweeting: ‘NASA offers its condolences on today’s passing of Neil Armstrong, former test pilot, astronaut & the 1st man on the moon.’
“Neil was our loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend.
“Neil Armstrong was also a reluctant American hero who always believed he was just doing his job.
“He served his nation proudly as a Navy fighter pilot, test pilot, and astronaut.
“While we mourn the loss of a very good man we also celebrate his remarkable life and hope that it serves as an example to young people around the world to work hard to make their dreams come true, to be willing to explore and push the limits, and to selflessly serve a cause greater than themselves.”
Physicist Professor Brian Cox later tweeted: “Sad to hear about death of Neil Armstrong. I do think Apollo was the greatest of human achievements. For once, we reached beyond our grasp.”
According to DailyMail President Obama in a statement hailed the late astronaut Neil Armstrong as one of America’s greatest heroes.
In a statement issued by the White House, Mr Obama said Armstrong and the rest of the crew of Apollo 11 carried with them the aspirations of an entire nation when they set out for the moon in 1969.
The president says that when Armstrong set foot on the moon, he delivered what he called ‘a moment of human achievement that will never be forgotten.’
Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney, too, offered his condolences, writing on Twitter: ‘Neil Armstrong today takes his place in the hall of heroes. The moon will miss its first son of earth.’
‘NEXT TIME YOU SEE THE MOON, THINK OF NEIL AND GIVE HIM A WINK’: ARMSTRONG FAMILY’S TOUCHING STATEMENT
‘We are heartbroken to share the news that Neil Armstrong has passed away following complications resulting from cardiovascular procedures.
Neil was our loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend.
Neil Armstrong was also a reluctant American hero who always believed he was just doing his job. He served his Nation proudly, as a navy fighter pilot, test pilot, and astronaut. He also found success back home in his native Ohio in business and academia, and became a community leader in Cincinnati.
He remained an advocate of aviation and exploration throughout his life and never lost his boyhood wonder of these pursuits.
As much as Neil cherished his privacy, he always appreciated the expressions of good will from people around the world and from all walks of life.
While we mourn the loss of a very good man, we also celebrate his remarkable life and hope that it serves as an example to young people around the world to work hard to make their dreams come true, to be willing to explore and push the limits, and to selflessly serve a cause greater than themselves.
For those who may ask what they can do to honor Neil, we have a simple request. Honor his example of service, accomplishment and modesty, and the next time you walk outside on a clear night and see the moon smiling down at you, think of Neil Armstrong and give him a wink.’
