As countdown continues, America holds its breath. In the White House, President Nixon watches closely on TV. At 9:32 am local time, the Saturn V begins to rumble and rise. Apollo 11 is going to space.

The first manned mission to the moon, Apollo 11, launched on July 16, 1969. The crew of NASA's Apollo 11 mission, from left, Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, Michael Collins, and Neil Armstrong, pose with a ...