FACT BRIEF

Did an Apollo 11 crew member say the mission’s moon landing was faked?

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

By Lisa Freedland

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Reports that Buzz Aldrin, one of the three astronauts aboard Apollo 11, claimed that the mission’s moon landing was “staged,” are fake. This claim was posted by the website Huzlers in 2014. Huzlers at the time allowed users to create their own “prank” articles to share with their friends, and has a history of sharing fabricated new stories.

Others who believe the moon landing was faked point elsewhere for evidence, citing a photo where Neil Armstrong is reflected in Aldrin’s visor. Skeptics point out that Armstrong does not appear to be holding a camera in the photo, so there must have been another person taking the photo.

In reality, however, Armstrong’s camera is attached to the front of his suit. These were used by the astronauts as space suits are quite bulky, which made it hard to use a regular hand-held camera.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

Sources

Media Bias/Fact Check Huzlers

History The wildest moon landing conspiracy theories, debunked

Snopes Buzz Aldrin admits Apollo 11 moon landings were fake

Te Awamutu Space Centre (New Zealand) Did Buzz Aldrin admit the moon landings were faked?

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