Scientific American Collins piloted the command module while Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin touched down in 1969 Print Michael Collins at Apollo 11 Command Module, practicing docking hatch removal from CM simulator at NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas, June 28, 1969. Credit: Getty Images Advertisement Gemini and Apollo astronaut Michael Collins, who orbited the moon during the world’s first lunar landing mission, has died at the age of 90. Collins’ death on Wednesday (April 28) was made known by his family and NASA. “We regret to share that our beloved father and grandfather passed away today, after a valiant battle with cancer. He spent his final days peacefully, with his family by his side,” Collins’ family said in a statement. “Mike always faced the challenges of life with grace and humility, and faced this, his final challenge, in the same way. We will miss him terribly. Yet we also know how lucky Mike felt to have lived the life he did. We will honor his wish for us to celebrate, not mourn, that life.”