September 6, 2012 — The late astronaut Neil Armstrong, first man to step on the moon, will be buried at sea, NASA has confirmed.
Armstrong, who died Aug. 25 at age 82, was remembered during a private family memorial service held in Cincinnati last week. NASA has scheduled a public memorial service to be held Sept. 13 at Washington National Cathedral.
The date and details of the first moonwalker's interment at sea have not been announced.
The first U.S. civilian to orbit the Earth, Armstrong served as a naval aviator for three years from 1949 to 1952 prior to his resignation from the U.S. Navy before joining NASA as a research pilot and astronaut. The Navy will perform the committal ceremony.
According to the Navy, the standard ceremony for burial at sea is led by either a chaplain of the appropriate faith, the ship's commanding officer or an officer designated by him or her. The ceremony includes a three volley (rifle) salute and the playing of Taps.
NASA's Sept. 13
public memorial service in Washington, D.C. will bring together dignitaries, community and political leaders, members of Armstrong's family and members of the NASA family, including current and former astronauts, to pay their respects to Armstrong.
The ceremony, which will include remarks by NASA chief Charles Bolden, will be shown live on the space agency's television channel and streamed through its website. Very limited public seating is available at National Cathedral on a first-come, first-served basis, with advance reservation.
