Free Moonshot: The Inside Story of Mankind's Greatest Adventure by Dan Parry Page B

dust on the surface was relatively soft but deeper down it became hard to penetrate. Inside his gloves Neil's hands were sweating and he found it difficult to grip the staff and drive it into the soil. 25 At first the flag defied attempts to make it stand upright but eventually Armstrong forced it into the dust by about seven inches, far enough to prevent it toppling over live on television.
In the meantime Collins, now on his eighteenth orbit, returned from his enforced silence and began to pass across the near side once again.
Collins: 'Houston, Columbia on the high gain. Over.'
Mission Control: ' Columbia , this is Houston. Reading you loud and clear. Over.'
Collins: 'Yeah. Reading you loud and clear. How's it going?'
Mission Control: 'Roger. The EVA is progressing beautifully. I believe they are setting up the flag now.'
Collins: 'Great!'
Mission Control: 'I guess you're about the only person around that doesn't have TV coverage of the scene.'
Collins: 'That's all right. I don't mind a bit. How is the quality of the TV?'
Mission Control: 'Oh, it's beautiful, Mike. It really is.'
Neil took a picture of Buzz saluting the flag and then he went back to the MESA to begin collecting more material from the surface.
Mission Control: 'Tranquility Base, this is Houston ... we'd like to get both of you in the field-of-view of the camera for a minute. Neil and Buzz, the President of the United States is in his office now and would like to say a few words to you. Over.'
Armstrong: 'That would be an honour.'
Mission Control: 'All right. Go ahead, Mr President. This is Houston. Out.'
Nixon: 'Hello, Neil and Buzz. I'm talking to you by telephone from the Oval Room at the White House, and this certainly has to be the most historic telephone call ever made. I just can't tell you how proud we all are of what you [unclear] For every American, this has to be the proudest day of our lives. And for people all over the world, I am sure they, too, join with Americans in recognising what an immense feat this is. Because of what you have done, the heavens have become a part of man's world. And as you talk to us from the Sea of Tranquility, it inspires us to redouble our efforts to bring peace and tranquility to Earth. For one priceless moment in the whole history of man, all the people on this Earth are truly one; one in their pride in what you have done, and one in our prayers that you will return safely to Earth.'
Armstrong: 'Thank you, Mr President. It's a great honour and privilege for us to be here representing not only the United States but men of peace of all nations, and with interests and the curiosity and with the vision for the future. It's an honour for us to be able to participate here today.'
Nixon: 'And thank you very much and I look forward, all of us look forward to seeing you on the Hornet on Thursday.'
Armstrong : 'I look forward to that very much, sir.'

Armstrong later told Aldrin that he had known the president might call. Buzz, who had had no such knowledge, wrote that the experience made him feel awkward. He felt he ought to have made some profound comment, but without wanting to intrude on the conversation he took what seemed to be the next best alternative and remained silent. 26

After the call, the astronauts went back to the MESA where Buzz picked up the Hasselblad camera left there by Neil. While Armstrong collected samples of rocks, Buzz took pictures of the impression his boots made in the dust. As he set up collection bags and the sample return containers on the table, Neil found he was working in shadow. He wanted to avoid collecting material that had been contaminated by the exhaust from the descent engine, and in looking for an undisturbed sunlit area he walked back towards the solar wind collector. He tried to scoop up as many different types of rocks as he could before taking them back to the table and dropping them into a bag. Making around ten trips to this spot, Armstrong repeatedly crossed back and forth