Buzz Aldrin was initially rejected by NASA — here's his best advice on bouncing back from rejection

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You might not know it, but Buzz Aldrin was rejected the first time he applied to NASA's astronaut program.

He'd try again — and make it — but only to a backup crew. It took a freak accident to make room for him on Gemini 12's flight crew, where he'd take the longest successful spacewalk of that time.

Down-to-earth anecdotes like these comprise "No Dream is Too High," Aldrin's latest book, and an opportunity for the space pioneer to reflect on a lifetime of experiences, which include the Apollo 11 mission and eventually becoming the second man to walk on the moon. In the book, he reminds us of the power of luck and persistence — and that any goal is attainable.

We caught up with the 86-year-old astronaut and educator to get his take on what's needed for our next breakthroughs, big or small.

Says Aldrin, we'll need both a commitment to curiosity and to mentoring those who can continue our work after us.

This interview was edited and condensed. 

Entrepreneur: Let's talk about applying to the astronaut program. There was a point you thought it might not happen, yes?

Aldrin: I read in Life Magazine a description of the Mercury program and that President Eisenhower thought astronauts should be trained as test pilots. But I had not [been trained as one]. The space program looked like it wouldn't be available to me.

Entrepreneur: In your book, you talk a lot about luck, about how success is about being ready when opportunity comes.

Aldrin: It's fascinating to think about. How lucky I was. My mother was born the year the Wright brothers flew an airplane. My father was an aviator. I grew up and fought WWII. [I was in the military and the space program]. Now I am pioneering people going to Mars. From the Wright brothers to Mars, that has all been part of my life, in a way.

Entrepreneur: After the Apollo 11 mission, where did you find yourself? In your book, you mention struggling with "normal life" after the moon landing.

Aldrin: I experienced depression. It was inherited. My grandfather attempted suicide, and my mother committed suicide the year before I headed to the moon. I wasn't productive, and my mind was clouded.

I was given the command of the test pilot school. It really posed a major readjustment. As I was doing that, it just occurred to me, that is not the way I want to resume my Air Force career. I decided to retire at that point and see what else I could do. [At that point] I had disconnected myself from the Air Force and NASA.