Legendary astronaut Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon, has been enthusiastically supporting the Artemis II mission this week, finding renewed joy after a period of profound personal loss. The 96-year-old space pioneer watched the spacecraft's launch on Wednesday and was described as 'absolutely amazed' by the sight, according to his longtime friend and documentary filmmaker Steven Barber.
A Spirited Mood and Martian Dreams
Mr Barber, 65, stated that Buzz has been in a spirited mood all week while following the Artemis mission closely. He revealed that Aldrin was particularly impressed that NASA incorporated many of his ideas over the years into the current program. The astronaut reportedly became giddy with excitement, repeatedly declaring: 'Now it's time to occupy Mars!'
Buzz Aldrin achieved iconic status when he became the second human to set foot on the lunar surface, following Neil Armstrong during the historic Apollo 11 mission in July 1969. Armstrong passed away in 2012. The Artemis II flight represents NASA's first crewed moon mission since December 1972, marking the end of a fifty-year gap since the Apollo program concluded.
Overcoming Heartbreak and Finding Smiles Again
Last October, Aldrin experienced devastating personal tragedy when his fourth wife, Dr Anca Faur, 66, whom he called 'the love of his life,' died after battling a virulent form of cancer. Friends became deeply concerned about his wellbeing as he struggled to cope with the loss, initially refusing to eat and expressing doubts about continuing without her.
Mr Barber observed that you could see genuine joy returning to Buzz's eyes recently. He noted that Aldrin keeps the NASA feed on his television throughout the day, finding the Artemis mission 'an awesome thing to watch.' According to Barber, knowing that NASA is returning to the moon decades after his own historic footsteps brings Buzz significant happiness and pride.
The Road to Recovery
Following his wife's passing, Aldrin's friends feared for his health as he became overwhelmed with grief in their Los Angeles apartment. The environment became cluttered, and Barber described how Buzz seemed to be losing his vitality, leading to concerns he might succumb to a broken heart.
However, the astronaut has demonstrated remarkable resilience. Last December, his family moved him to a new residence overlooking the Pacific Ocean, where he receives round-the-clock care from three full-time nurses. This change of environment and improved care has made a substantial difference in his recovery.
Mr Barber, who has known Aldrin since 2001, emphasized that Buzz is learning to laugh and smile again, with his characteristic sense of humor returning. He described Aldrin as a fighter from a generation that never gives up, crediting the improved living situation with restoring his spark and zest for life.
Personal History and Lasting Legacy
During his historic moon landing, Aldrin was married to Joan Archer, mother of his three children. That marriage ended after twenty years due to his self-professed struggles with alcoholism and womanizing. In his memoir 'Return to Earth,' Buzz wrote about seeking solace in alcohol after the fame faded, experiencing deep depression once the mission accolades subsided.
He had subsequent marriages to model Beverly Van Zile and Lois Driggs Cannon before meeting Dr Anca Faur. Interestingly, Mr Barber credits Aldrin with saving his own life when they met at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in December 2001. Barber, who had been struggling with alcoholism, decided to stay in the program after seeing Buzz there, reasoning that if it worked for such an iconic figure, it might work for him too.
The friendship led Barber to raise funds for an Apollo 11 bronze monument called 'The Eagle Has Landed' at Florida's Kennedy Space Center. Barber shared these insights because people worldwide care about Buzz Aldrin, noting that his name recognition spans the globe from London to Beijing to the mountains of Nepal. He wants the public to know that the legendary astronaut is doing okay, watching humanity's return to the moon with amazement and hope for future Martian exploration.
