Armstrong death is end of an era: Gillard

26 Aug 2012, 2:00 pm   -   Source: AAP
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"I've never forgotten watching that great moment on television," said Prime Minister Gillard of Amstrong's 1969 moon landing (AAP).

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has paid tribute to Neil Armstrong after the Apollo 11 astronaut died in the US on Saturday at the age of 82.

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The death of astronaut Neil Armstrong marks the end of an amazing era in human progress, Prime Minister Julia Gillard says.

Armstrong, who in July 1969 became the first person to walk on the moon, died on Saturday in the United States from complications arising from heart surgery. He was 82.

Ms Gillard said the Apollo 11 mission which took him to the moon had brought formidable achievements of science and knowledge that helped change human history.

"And with that new knowledge came a new wisdom: literally a new perspective on human life," she said in a statement on Sunday.

"The image they brought to all our consciousness, of our lonely planet in space, transformed our understanding of the great tasks of human development, environmental protection and peace."

The prime minister reminisced about watching the moon landing.

"I've never forgotten watching that great moment on television," she said.

"For me as a small girl, Neil Armstrong was the symbol of so much that is good in the world."

Ms Gillard said the Apollo mission was a fantastic achievement that lives on in labs and classrooms across Australia to the rover now exploring the surface of Mars.

"I salute Neil Armstrong and the explorers who have followed him, and the worlds they continue to open for us.

"His example of service, accomplishment and modesty - his triumph of reason and science and knowledge, and wisdom - will never die."

Armstrong's co-pilot Buzz Aldrin visited Australia earlier this month.

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