Astronaut Michael Collins, Apollo 11 pilot, dies of cancer

Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins, who orbited the moon alone while Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin made their historic first steps on the lunar surface, has died aged 90.

Collins died of cancer, his family said in a statement.

“Mike always faced the challenges of life with grace and humility, and faced this, his final challenge, in the same way,” it said.

Collins was part of the three-man Apollo 11 crew that in 1969…