Tributes have been paid to Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, who has died at the age of 82.

The former Nasa astronaut will forever be remembered for the quote he uttered moments after setting foot on the lunar surface: "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

Armstrong commanded the Apollo 11 spacecraft that landed on the moon on July 20 1969. He and fellow astronaut Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin spent nearly three hours walking on the moon, collecting samples, conducting experiments and taking photographs.

An estimated 600 million people - a fifth of the world's population - watched and listened to the first moon landing, the largest audience for any single event in history.

The moonwalk marked America's victory in the Cold War space race that began on October 4 1957, with the launch of the Soviet Union's satellite Sputnik 1.

Armstrong was of Scottish descent through his father's side of the family and traced his links to the Borders town of Langholm, which made him its first freeman in 1972. The town clerk in Langholm at the time of the moon landing was Eddie Armstrong, who issued an audacious invitation for Neil Armstrong to be made the town's freeman. To great local astonishment, he accepted and visited the "Muckle Toon" in 1972 to receive the honour.

Obituary: the astronaut who became a freeman of Langholm

A statement tonight from Mr Armstrong's family said he died following complications resulting from cardiovascular procedures. He underwent heart surgery earlier this month.

Their statement read: "We are heartbroken to share the news that Neil Armstrong has passed away following complications resulting from cardiovascular procedures.

"Neil was our loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. Neil Armstrong was also a reluctant American hero who always believed he was just doing his job.

"He served his nation proudly as a Navy fighter pilot, test pilot, and astronaut.

"While we mourn the loss of a very good man we also celebrate his remarkable life and hope that it serves as an example to young people around the world to work hard to make their dreams come true, to be willing to explore and push the limits, and to selflessly serve a cause greater than themselves.

"Honour his example of service, accomplishment and modesty, and the next time you walk outside on a clear night and see the moon smiling down at you, think of Neil Armstrong and give him a wink."

Astronomer Sir Patrick Moore said: "As the first man on the moon, he broke all records. I knew him well. He was a man who had all the courage in the world."

 

Physicist Professor Brian Cox tweeted: "Sad to hear about death of Neil Armstrong. I do think Apollo was the greatest of human achievements. For once, we reached beyond our grasp."

Mike Cruise, professor of astrophysics and space research at the University of Birmingham, said: "The people at the front of the race always have to tread on new ground.

"He led the whole world into a space era of greater proportion than has been achieved by satellites. You wonder when his first steps will be followed up. It must have been very awe-inspiring to step on to, essentially, a new planet."

Former astronaut Tom Jones, who completed four space shuttle flights between 1990 and 2001, told Sky News: "Mr Armstrong was one of the astronauts that was my hero when I was growing up and I watched his initial landing on the moon in 1969 with incredible interest.

"I wanted to do exactly what Neil, and Buzz [Aldrin], and Mike Collins were doing that time. I hoped that one day I would have the chance to participate in the space programme.

"He really was an inspiration to an entire generation of people."

Mr Jones said meeting Mr Armstrong had been a "dream come true" and described being "star struck" by the chance to meet and work with his idol.

"He's a very unassuming and friendly person when you get to know him in a professional setting," he added.

Jamie Burgess, from the National Space Centre, said: "I think it is safe to say [he was] a very brave man, a very courageous man. To be able to have that bravery is an incredible quality in a person. He is a fantastic character and will be sorely missed."