Astronauts who died on April 28

Take a focused look at the astronauts who passed away on April 28. Dive into curated bios, achievements, and cultural milestones verified by our editors.

• 2021 Michael Collins

  Michael Collins was an American astronaut, test pilot, and Major General in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. He is best known for piloting the Apollo 11 command module, Columbia, during the first manned lunar landing in July 1969. While his crewmates Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the Moon, Collins remained in lunar orbit, ensuring the mission's safety and … [bio]