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Neil Armstrong led the landmark landing of NASA's Apollo 11 Moon 50 years ago this month and was launched into space on July 16, 1969. Four days later only , July 20, with Armstrong walking on the moon. But half a century ago, when Armstrong, Aldrin and control module driver Michael Collins greeted the public one last time before the launch, it was not in appearance. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the launch of Apollo 11, an incredible 60-minute program on CBS from 2005 reveals what Commander Armstrong really felt that day.
Ed Bradley, of "60 minutes," said in an extremely rare interview that the "heroic" astronaut had admitted that his brave face was a kind of lie.
Asked about his display of trust that day, Armstrong: "Yes, but it was a little misleading, I admit.
"You know, most of the time you get into the cockpit and something is wrong somewhere and you go down.
"So, in fact, when we take off, it's a surprise."
READ MORE: When did Apollo 11 launch, land on the moon and return to Earth?
Exactly 50 years ago, the three Apollo 11 astronauts embarked on a powerful Saturn 5 rocket aimed at the Moon.
The last days of the astronauts before the launch of Apollo 11 were filmed in a series of captivating photographs of NASA.
And the three men were photographed on July 16, leaving the Kennedy Space Center in Florida with Commander Armstrong at the helm.
The astronaut came out on the launch pad with a thumb bravely stuck in the air, while the astronauts waved goodbye.
Armstrong and his teammates then took a van to get to Launch Complex 39A where their spaceship was waiting for them.
READ MORE: What did Neil Armstrong say during Moon's historic landing?
Then, at exactly 14:30 BST (9:22 am Eastern Time), Apollo 11 took off from Florida (United States) and left the Earth for space.
Despite the uncertainties that the astronaut may have had in the last few minutes before launch, NASA remembered Commander Armstrong as a "humble giant" and "greatest explorer" American.
Armstrong died on August 27, 2012 at the age of 82 following complications related to cardiovascular interventions.
Buzz Aldrin, who accompanied Armstrong to the moon's surface, recently revealed his sorrow at not being able to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 with his friend.
Robert Behnken, then head of NASA's Astronaut Office, said, "Neil Armstrong has been a very personal inspiration to all of us in the astronaut office.
READ MORE: Why did Apollo 11 move and flap its wings in space?
"His historic step on the surface of the moon has been the basis of many of our personal dreams of becoming astronauts.
"The only thing that surpassed his achievements was his humility at these achievements.
"We will miss him as a friend, mentor, explorer and ambassador of the spirit of American ingenuity."
Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin were named recipients of the US Presidential Medal on their return to Earth on July 24, 1969, safely.
READ MORE: How did the Apollo 11 astronauts see "MONSTERS"? on the moon
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