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Astronaut Neil Armstrong Lands on Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum

By Jim Scott | March 15, 2010 2:36pm | Updated on March 15, 2010 2:46pm
Neil Armstrong made his first space flight aboard Gemini 8 in 1966 before famously walking on the moon in 1969 during the Apollo 11 mission. He then spoke the famous words
Neil Armstrong made his first space flight aboard Gemini 8 in 1966 before famously walking on the moon in 1969 during the Apollo 11 mission. He then spoke the famous words "That's one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind."
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By Jim Scott

DNAinfo Senior Editor

MIDTOWN — Legendary astronaut Neil Armstrong took one giant step toward helping Manhattan land its own space shuttle with his visit to the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum on Sunday.

Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the moon in 1969, helped the Intrepid gather signatures for a petition to bring one of the retired space shuttles to the the museum and talked to school children during his visit, the Daily News reported.

The shuttles Discovery, Endeavor and Atlantis are scheduled to be retired in 2012. The Intrepid is one of a handful of museums, including the Smithsonian, named as a finalist to get one of the shuttles after more than 20 venues applied last year.

Captain Bob Gilliland attends the 'Legends of Aerospace' visit at the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum on March 14, 2010. Gilliland was the first man to test pilot the SR-71 Blackbird in 1964.
Captain Bob Gilliland attends the 'Legends of Aerospace' visit at the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum on March 14, 2010. Gilliland was the first man to test pilot the SR-71 Blackbird in 1964.
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"Space shuttles are American icons, and shouldn't it go where it will be seen?" Museum President Bill White told the News.