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Through Bertrand Piccard’s Eyes: The Legacy of Apollo XI
Interview with Bertrand Piccard, serial explorer, psychiatrist and clean technology pioneer
On July 20th, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first human beings to walk on the Moon, marking the dawn of a new era in exploration and the dreams of humankind.
Since then, this symbolic date has been celebrated around the world as a tribute to boldness and ingenuity. On this special day, we revisit that legendary adventure through the perspective of Bertrand Piccard, awe-struck witness to the launch of Apollo XI, and heir to the same deep-rooted drive to go further and higher.
Through this discussion, we journey back to this incredible expedition, what it meant for humanity, and the pioneering mentality of the Apollo program that should serve as a blueprint for united action toward a better future.
Bertrand, what are the first memories that come to mind when you think of the Apollo XI launch?
I had already seen Apollo VII, VIII, IX, and X lift off. Additionally, I had met most of the NASA astronauts–both those preparing for future Apollo missions and those from the Mercury and Gemini programs who had already completed theirs. Those encounters gave me a vision of a life where dreams become reality and the impossible isn't. It completely changed my outlook on the world.
Meeting NASA astronauts, and even Wernher von Braun, head of the Apollo program, was incredible. They all took the time to answer my questions and share their dreams and vision, even though I was only eleven at the time. They weren’t arrogant superhumans–but passionate people determined to achieve what had never been done before.
The night before Apollo XI's lift-off, Wernher von Braun asked me where I would be watching the launch. I didn't know yet, since I was too young for the VIP stand. I had been there for Apollo IX, which caused a stir because the NASA director couldn’t get his own son in, yet I appeared in the official photos. I couldn’t go back.
Von Braun offered me to go watch the launch with his son, at a spot even closer to the rocket than the VIP area. Since they were leaving early in the morning, I had to stay with them the night before. He gave me his son’s room; a suite ! The next morning, his son and I went with a driver to watch the launch. It was fantastic.
I had spent the night in Wernher von Braun’s suite the day before he launched his life’s ultimate dream. I had been deeply moved by how genuinely human and caring this man had been toward me. On top of that, I had front-row seats for what I still consider humanity's greatest achievement !
"Apollo XI was a moment of worldwide awe. Maybe we’ve forgotten how to marvel at something like that."
At the moment of the moon landing, is there a specific memory that stands out? What was the general atmosphere like?
I was with my family during the moon landing. My father, meanwhile, was underwater in his submarine exploring the Gulf Stream, just off Cape Kennedy (site of the Apollo XI launch) ! Just before the moonwalk, a NASA official called my mother to inform her that the astronauts' lunar walk had been moved up. We rushed to the TV, cutting dinner short, and watched all night.
Apollo XI was a moment of worldwide awe. Maybe we’ve forgotten how to marvel at something like that. At the time, the U.S. was mired in the Vietnam War and eager to restore its image. There was massive communication around the space program, and the entire country lived for it. It was a collective wonder.
"After Apollo XI, I told myself: I will become an explorer. I want that kind of life."
Did Apollo 11 truly change something in you in terms of what you wanted to do with your life?
After Apollo XI, I told myself: I will become an explorer. I want that kind of life. Like my father, grandfather, and the pioneering astronauts and aviation legends I met. I even met Charles Lindbergh at Apollo XII’s launch, and Jacques Mayol stayed with us in Florida around that time. They all inspired me deeply.
However, part of me felt like everything had already been done. Armstrong and Aldrin had walked on the Moon. Apollo XII felt like a repeat. At Apollo XIII’s launch, hardly anyone showed up. Space exploration quickly became routine.
I thought Apollo XI was the peak of exploration and that nothing exciting would follow. I quickly realised I was wrong, but that was my feeling at the time. U.S. funding for space exploration dropped significantly afterward. Apollo XVII was the last Moon mission. Apollo XVIII and XIX were canceled, which must have been a crushing blow for the astronauts in training. After that, we solely focused on orbital flights, SkyLab, and the space shuttle. It was no longer exploration, but science and experiments.
"The astronauts were perfect technicians who knew how to react in any situation."
Having spoken with astronauts and scientists like Wernher von Braun, what struck you most about their mindset?
Most were test pilots used to pushing limits and executing tasks with extreme precision. They rarely showed emotion; their goal was to prove they could achieve the impossible. That mindset was striking.
Scott Carpenter, the fourth Mercury astronaut, was the first to really express emotion. He was amazed by the experience but missed the landing site by 400 kilometers and was removed from the space program.
I thought space wasn’t for people who wanted to contemplate the cosmos. I once asked Neil Armstrong if he had been psychologically prepared to carry out humanity’s ultimate myth: going to the Moon. Surprised, he said no one had ever asked that. There had been no psychological preparation at all !
Astronauts were trained for a mission and had to execute it perfectly. It was a way to remain pragmatic. As test pilots, they were always operating at the edge and had to get everything exactly right. The astronauts were perfect technicians who knew how to react in any situation.
Do you believe there was a drive to inspire humanity by pushing boundaries?
There was a lot of personal ambition, which is natural–ambition drives progress. Yet I always thought astronauts, with the world listening, missed opportunities to talk about the environment, human rights, or social issues. There were so many important messages they could have shared.
I always told myself that if I had the world's microphones in front of me, I would use them to say more than just how I trained for a mission.
"As always, it takes pioneers to start before industry follows."
Do you think that lack of messaging had an impact on how space exploration was perceived later?
I don't think it caused the decline in exploration. As always, it takes pioneers to start before industry follows. Until 1970, astronauts were true adventurers.
What followed was industrialisation–rockets serving satellites and science, but no longer driven by the spirit of exploration. Nevertheless, the science and technology driving space research always began with a pioneer's adventure.
"The level of risk accepted back then, in a mechanical era, is no longer tolerated now in a digital world."
When you compare today’s space programs to the Apollo era, do you feel the same admiration for space exploration?
What’s happening now doesn’t excite me much. Suborbital tourist flights? Alan Shepard and Gus Grissom already did that in 1962. We haven’t progressed. Instead of exploring the Moon, we're trying to commercialise it. It’s great for those who go, but it doesn’t benefit humanity. Returning to the Moon would be a remake–yet we still can't manage it !
The level of risk accepted back then, in a mechanical era, is no longer tolerated now in a digital world. Back then, Americans landed six missions on the Moon (Apollo XI, XII, XIV, XV, XVI, XVII). Today, they can’t repeat it. Simpler technology somehow worked better.
Most of the world’s population wasn't even born in 1969. The next person on the Moon will be the 13th but, for many, it will feel like the first. If we went to Mars, now that would be exploration. I wouldn’t wake up at night to watch someone walk on the Moon again. But if it were Mars? I’d be thrilled.
Back then, we had far less technology. Do you think the Apollo mindset would make better use of today's capabilities?
I think astronauts today have little say. The power lies with major industries, governments, and budget committees. The U.S. and Europe aren't progressing much; China is. I believe a Chinese astronaut will return to the Moon before an American, because for China it's a national priority–not just an ambition.
"If we destroy Earth and run off to another planet, we'll only destroy the next one. We're just postponing the problem."
Bringing this to your work with the Solar Impulse Foundation, which focuses on sustainable technologies. Do we lack a collective mission like Apollo's to save our planet?
Yes, absolutely. Today, we lack a unifying environmental mission. When I see billionaires talking about colonising other planets to save humanity if Earth becomes unliveable, it feels like the world is upside down. We need to ensure Earth remains habitable.
If we destroy Earth and run off to another planet, we'll only destroy the next one. We're just postponing the problem.
The private sector's role is growing. Is that the right path forward?
The private sector is taking over because governments no longer have the budgets. The next rocket to the Moon may well be a private one if it’s American. China, however, has near-unlimited state funds.
Space is now viewed as an industrial interest. Governments shouldn’t be the ones launching profitable telecom satellites–that’s for private industry. Again, the pioneer opens the path; then industry follows and commercialises.
Apollo XI was one of the greatest human and technological feats of the 20th century. What should be the Apollo XI of the 21st century?
For space exploration, it’s Mars. Today, the 'moonshot' we all need is to reconcile innovation with humanity, to ensure a life that is dignified, sustainable, and inspiring for all. In terms of climate, governance, education, and health, there is still so much to be done!
Bertrand Piccard's upcoming mission : Climate Impulse
