Returning to Earth in July 1969, astronaut Neil Armstrong celebrated his 39th birthday in quarantine. This was done to prevent the risk of him contracting any alien viruses from the Moon.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, quarantine became an effective measure to isolate individuals at risk of infection, helping to limit the spread of the virus in the community. More than 50 years ago, the U.S. government implemented this protocol for NASA’s three heroes – Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Edwin Aldrin – after they returned to Earth on July 24, 1969.
Notably, Armstrong celebrated his 39th birthday during the mandatory 21-day quarantine. Although there were not many loved ones around him, his birthday in quarantine was still filled with joy, according to CNN.
The celebration included a cake and bright candles. The cake was prepared by staff at the Lunar Receiving Laboratory at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, where the astronauts were also quarantined.
After blowing out the candles, Armstrong shared the cake with the staff in quarantine and the crew. In a nearby room, separated by a glass partition, the astronauts’ wives joined in the celebration of Armstrong’s birthday. He even pretended to hand them cake.
Neil Armstrong’s birthday celebrated in quarantine. (Photo: CNN).
Journey After Returning
At that time, many science fiction films conveyed themes of fear regarding the transmission of diseases from space. Therefore, the quarantine was necessary to ensure everyone’s safety, as the astronauts might have come into contact with harmful bacteria from the Moon.
The Apollo 11 mission marked humanity’s first interaction with the surface of another celestial body. Doctors closely monitored the three astronauts. Another group examined and studied the lunar rocks and dust brought back by Armstrong and his team.
Scientists aimed to protect any potential organisms from the Moon that might survive in Earth’s conditions. The samples were preserved in a vacuum to avoid contamination from Earth’s environment.
Upon landing in the Pacific Ocean, Armstrong’s team was picked up by helicopter and taken to the USS Hornet aircraft carrier. At this point, they were all required to wear protective clothing, housed in a special isolation vehicle made of silver. All equipment from the landing capsule was also thoroughly sterilized.
President Richard Nixon welcoming the astronauts back. (Photo: CNN).
Moon Rock Research
Forty-eight hours after the spacecraft returned to Earth, the samples and films taken on the Moon were processed and examined. Armstrong’s team collected over 22 kg of material. The laboratory would check for any gamma radiation or microorganisms.
NASA indicated that the facility where the samples were studied was even cleaner than a sterilized surgical room.
Scientists did not believe that life existed on the Moon, but they did not entirely rule out the possibility until the sample analysis was completed.
Additionally, scientists found interesting characteristics in the lunar dust and rocks, such as their high titanium content.
A scientist studying samples brought back from the Moon. (Photo: CNN).
Research findings indicated no evidence of life or any harmful substances in the samples. Furthermore, live organisms, such as cockroaches, were allowed to interact with the samples, showing no adverse or abnormal effects.
Later, the crews of Apollo 12 and 14 followed a similar quarantine procedure.
However, by the time the Apollo 15, 16, and 17 missions began, NASA believed that quarantine was no longer necessary. After initial medical checks, astronauts were free to return to their normal lives.
Nilufar Ramji, a communications expert at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, stated that when humans return to the Moon in 2024, quarantine after returning to Earth will also be unnecessary.
Astronauts’ Quarantine Life
Throughout the quarantine period, medical staff conducted regular checks to ensure the astronauts were not adversely affected by the spacecraft or any potential pathogens.
Laboratory personnel were also monitored for health, with their waste being checked. This was to ensure that if anyone contracted a virus, the pathogen would not escape their bodies to spread outside.
The entire quarantine process was supervised from outside by two doctors. Representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO) also inspected the laboratory.
Astronauts living in a mobile quarantine chamber provided by Airstream. (Photo: CNN).
As for the astronauts, they played cards, read magazines, and listened to news about the mission. They also tried to respect each other’s privacy as much as possible. For instance, when Aldrin spoke on the phone with his wife, Collins wore headphones while Armstrong played the ukulele.
Most of the astronauts’ time in quarantine was spent reflecting on and debriefing about the mission. Each astronaut entered a glass-partitioned room to discuss various aspects of the trip with NASA staff.
The quarantine gate was finally opened on August 10, 1969. The astronauts could walk outside in Texas at night. This was the first time they stepped out and interacted with the public after a long period of isolation during and after the mission.
