NASA Moon landing: Apollo pilot reveals why Buzz Aldrin played second fiddle to Armstrong

On July 20, Commander Armstrong and Mr Aldrin flew the Eagle to the surface of the Moon after separating from Columbia.

Yet despite being the dedicated Lunar Module Pilot, it was Commander Armstrong who controlled the lunar descent and not Mr Aldrin.

Prior to the success of the Moon landing, there have been rumours of animosity between Commander Armstrong and Mr Aldrin.

Mr Aldrin, who was the senior ranking pilot, was originally pegged to be the first man to set foot on the Moon.

NASA’s leadership, however, selected Mr Armstrong to bear the honour – a decision, which is said to have infuriated Mr Aldrin.