As an expert in space exploration history, I can provide a detailed account of the costs associated with the Apollo program and Neil Armstrong's journey to the moon. However, it's important to clarify that the actual cost of sending Neil Armstrong to the moon was not a direct expense that would be attributed to his salary or personal expenses. Instead, it was part of the massive investment made by the United States government into the Apollo program.

The Apollo program was an extensive and expensive endeavor. It was a series of human spaceflight missions undertaken by the United States' National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) with the objective of landing humans on the moon and bringing them safely back to Earth. The program began in 1961 and concluded in 1972, with a total of twelve manned missions, six of which successfully landed astronauts on the lunar surface.

The total cost of the Apollo program has been estimated to be around $25.4 billion in 1973 dollars, which translates to approximately $150 billion in today's currency when adjusted for inflation. This figure includes the development of the Saturn V rocket, the Command and Service Module (CSM), the Lunar Module (LM), and all the ground support equipment and infrastructure necessary to launch and support these missions.

Neil Armstrong, as the commander of Apollo 11, was one of the three astronauts on this historic mission. His salary, as mentioned, was the standard annual NASA salary for civilian astronauts, which was $20,000 in 1969. Adjusted for inflation, this would be equivalent to around $125,000 in 2012 dollars. However, this salary was not a cost specific to the moon landing; it was the regular compensation for his position as an astronaut.

It's also worth noting that the cost of the Apollo program was not solely for the moon landings. The program included a series of precursor missions, technology development, and extensive testing to ensure the safety and success of the missions. The investment in the Apollo program was a strategic decision by the U.S. government to demonstrate technological superiority during the Cold War era and to advance human knowledge and capabilities in space exploration.

In summary, while Neil Armstrong's salary was a part of the overall cost of the Apollo program, the actual cost of sending him to the moon was a fraction of the total expenditure. The moon landing was a collective achievement that involved the work of thousands of engineers, scientists, and support staff, all funded by the significant financial commitment of the U.S. government.

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In 1969, Neil Armstrong was paid US$20,000 - the regular, annual NASA salary for civilian astronauts. In present day (2012) dollars that is roughly US$125,000.read more >>