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Answer: End communication, leaving them with no further earthly contact
NASA’s contingency plan for the Apollo 11 mission, should Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin have been stranded on the moon, represents one of the darkest yet necessary preparations in the history of space exploration.
The mission, which marked a monumental achievement in human history, also carried substantial risks, one of which was the potential inability of the astronauts to return to Earth. In the event of such a catastrophic failure, NASA had devised a plan that was as somber as it was pragmatic.
Under this contingency plan, if Armstrong and Aldrin were unable to leave the moon—whether due to a failure of the lunar module’s ascent engine, an inability to dock with the command module, or any other malfunction—their fate would be sealed. Recognizing the harsh reality that rescue missions were not feasible due to the technological limitations of the time, NASA planned to eventually end all communications with the astronauts. This decision was intended to spare them the psychological torment of awaiting death while in contact with Earth, leaving them in isolation for their final hours.
This plan was further underscored by a prepared statement for President Nixon, drafted by his speechwriter, William Safire. Titled “In Event of Moon Disaster,” the speech was a poignant reflection on the bravery of the astronauts and the ultimate sacrifice they might have made. It was a presidential eulogy meant to be delivered if the worst-case scenario unfolded, commending their souls to “the deepest of the deep,” akin to a burial at sea, followed by the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer.
Fortunately, this contingency plan was never enacted as Armstrong and Aldrin returned safely to Earth. The existence of the plan remained secret until 1999, when it was made public, revealing the stark realities and grim preparations behind one of humanity’s greatest adventures.