posted 04-29-2021 11:05 AM               

I am very sad to hear of Mike leaving us. There were so many things to love about him. His smile was contagious: his bright blue eyes lit up whenever he smiled. I loved his charm... and boy, was he charming!

I loved his clever and witty sense of humor, and his way of expressing himself. He was also very very smart, and one hell of a pilot. Mostly, I loved and admired how much he loved his beloved wife Pat, and their children.

posted 04-29-2021 03:33 PM               

"Put lucky on my tombstone... but not too soon."

posted 04-29-2021 04:43 PM               

Carrying the Fire

by Christopher Browne, Acting Director

Michael Collins, one of the first directors of our museum, passed away today (April 28). Mike, as he liked to be called, was an exceptional combat and test pilot, Gemini and Apollo astronaut, and public servant.

Mike piloted the Apollo 11 command module Columbia on its epic flight to the Moon and back. He would always say that he was as Earthbound as the rest of us and no different than anyone else, but NASA knew what they were getting when they selected Mike for the mission and the history books: a humble man of remarkable ingenuity, creativity, integrity, and authenticity.

Artifacts of his extraordinary life will be displayed at our museum forever — but we remember him for much more than his role in history's greatest adventure. Our institution was defined by Mike's clear vision — and that is as true today as it was when he opened our doors for the first time in 1976. While we are engaged in an effort to transform that same Museum for the next 50 years and beyond, our charge is to preserve the spirit he embodied and imbued here. Whatever else may change as progress and history marches on, this will always be Mike's museum. Although he would have never used those words, it was his bicentennial gift to the nation, and helping to preserve his legacy will be our gift to future generations.

As an astronaut, Mike had occasion to look out at both the Moon and Earth, and know that all of humankind and all its history was in his forward field of view. As we move on without Mike, better for having known him, the future is in our forward view and it's our turn to carry the fire. He prepared us well for that noble task — and I hope the world in his window will always remember the name Michael Collins.

posted 04-29-2021 04:45 PM               

Cosmosphere Remembers Astronaut Michael Collins

Cosmosphere joins the nation and the world in grieving the loss of an outstanding human — astronaut Michael Collins, who died earlier today (April 28). A tribute to Collins has been created adjacent to the Gemini X capsule, in which Collins and John Young flew in 1966 and which is a part of the Cosmosphere collection.

In 2016, Collins and his daughters, Kate and Ann, visited the Cosmosphere to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Gemini X Mission. As part of his day at the Cosmosphere, Collins chose to spend an hour with young people making paper airplanes. He also met with a group of Scouts and with Cosmosphere campers back from a travel camp. At dinner that night, he and his daughters shared stories with the crowd of 150 gathered at the Cosmosphere.

"The unique thing about Mike's stories was that they focused on bigger ideas, or on other people and on the importance of things like self-expression and literacy," said Mimi Meredith, Cosmosphere Senior VP of Communication and Chief Development Officer. "He seldom talked about himself or his achievements. We will remember the qualities he shared of humility, teamwork, courage, wisdom, tenacity, humor and an appreciation of beauty. He didn't think astronauts should be called heroes, but he is a hero to us."

The Collins tribute will be left up through the coming week. Cosmosphere visitors are encouraged to sign a guest book and to share a memory or message for the Collins family.

posted 04-29-2021 04:46 PM               

The San Diego Air & Space Museum Remembers Michael Collins

The San Diego Air & Space Museum is remembering Michael Collins, the command module pilot for the historic Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969 and a member of the prestigious International Air & Space Hall of Fame. Collins passed away on April 28, 2021. He was 90.

Since 1963, the International Air & Space Hall of Fame has honored the world's most significant pilots, crew members, visionaries, inventors, aerospace engineers, business leaders, preservationists, designers and space explorers. Collins entered the International Air & Space Hall of Fame at the San Diego Air & Space Museum in 1971.

"Michael Collins' performance, perfection and skill on Gemini 10 and Apollo 11 were vitally important to the success of both missions," said Jim Kidrick, President & CEO of the San Diego Air & Space Museum. "His incredibly successful career after leaving NASA as assistant Secretary of State, and later Director of the National Air & Space Museum, are a credit to his accomplishments as a former experimental test pilot and NASA astronaut. The San Diego Air & Space Museum mourns his loss while remembering him fondly for his compassion and incredible achievements."

posted 04-30-2021 05:20 PM               

Mike Collins traced an image from a National Geographic book on North American birds. Mike had the eagle carrying the olive branch in its beak. NASA management thought the talons looked too menacing so they had the olive branch placed in the talons. Mike remarked he thought the eagle looked uncomfortable and hoped the eagle dropped the branch before it landed.

In 2017 at Spacefest, I had the opportunity to share the Apollo 50th Anniversary set that Jorge Cartes R and I created with the Apollo astronauts who attended.

I explained to Mike that Jorge and I made sure the eagle dropped the branch just prior to landing.

Well on Wednesday I had an idea for a graphic to honor Mike Collins and Jorge and I created a piece where the eagle revisits Tranquility Base with a head bowed. I shared it privately with the family and had no intention to publicize it.

Then I saw on Twitter that another artist tweeted a similar tribute so I decided this morning to share ours.

Jorge Cartes and I wanted to illustrate the Eagle paying respects at Tranquility Base while USAF Apollo Command Module Pilots Donn Eisele, Jack Swigert, Stu Roosa and Al Worden perform the missing man formation above.

Clear skies and tailwinds Mike. We will never forget you.

posted 05-01-2021 10:48 AM            

I first saw the film in the cinema, meaning that I was staring up at a 15-foot high image of the Apollo 11 CMP. I thought at the time that one day, in the fullness of time, his contributions to that film would represent a fine epitaph to a remarkable gentleman.

posted 05-01-2021 02:36 PM               

A wreath-laying ceremony honoring the memory of former Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins was held outside of the Heroes and Legends exhibit at NASA's Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida on April 30, 2021.

Kennedy director Bob Cabana and Therrin Protze, chief operating officer of Delaware North at the visitor complex, provided remarks during the ceremony.

posted 10-18-2021 04:18 PM               

"Lucky" tree dedication to Michael Collins today. I wish I had spent more time with him, but I will cherish the time I was lucky to get.

posted 01-31-2023 02:17 PM               

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Michael Collins was laid to rest in Section 51 of Arlington National Cemetery on Jan. 30, 2023.