NASA's plan for Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin if the moon landing failed shocks readers

Landing on the moon stands as one of humanity's greatest achievements. However, unbeknownst to Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, a stark contingency plan was in place should their mission fail. President Richard Nixon was prepared to announce their deaths should the moon mission fail, reports History.

The mission faced many risks, primarily the potential failure to retrieve the astronauts. Following the tragic loss of crew in the 1967 Apollo mission, numerous dangers loomed for Armstrong and Aldrin. Apart from the failure of engines, reactions to space suits and other fatal worries, multiple negatives could have caused the duo to be stuck on the moon with no way of returning. Apollo 8 commander and astronaut, Frank Borman was aware of the dangers and possible mishaps in advance and is even known to have cautioned the president about them.

“You want to be thinking of some alternative posture for the president in the event of mishaps,” Borman said to the President's speechwriter, William Safire, at the time. As a columnist in the New York Times later, Safire delivered the draft of the alternative speech to White House Chief of Staff H.R. Haldeman for a memo, “In Event of Moon Disaster.” President Richard Nixon, who offered congratulations to the astronauts on a successful mission was said to have a rather spine-chilling response in case the mission failed. Nixon was prepared to telephone "each of the widows-to-be," with the speech draft stating that Armstrong and Aldrin would be left to succumb if their return failed.

“Fate has ordained that the men who went to the moon to explore in peace will stay on the moon to rest in peace. These brave men, Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin, know that there is no hope for their recovery. But they also know that there is hope for mankind in their sacrifice,” the draft read. The rest of the speech simply revealed that those involved had already planned an alternative response had the mission failed and had no means or operations intact to help if the duo were unable to return. Additionally, the draft of the speech was designed to give away the fact that Armstrong and Aldrin would be remembered but not brought back.

“In ancient days, men looked at stars and saw their heroes in the constellations. In modern times, we do much the same, but our heroes are epic men of flesh and blood. Others will follow and surely find their way home. Man’s search will not be denied. But these men were the first, and they will remain the foremost in our hearts,” the draft read. While the astronauts made a successful landing and return, the shocking revelation of the team’s alternate response is certainly daunting and appalling.

This article originally appeared on 5.08.24.