The astronaut took to Facebook to pay his respects to the late comedian

Aug 13, 2014 09:27 GMT  ·  By
Robin Williams' death is a “great loss,” says former NASA astronaut and moonwalker Buzz Aldrin
   Robin Williams' death is a “great loss,” says former NASA astronaut and moonwalker Buzz Aldrin

Just a few hours ago, former NASA astronaut and moonwalker Buzz Aldrin took to Facebook to pay his respects to Robin Williams, who passed away on August 11, in his home in California, US.

The comedian, who had been battling depression for quite a while before his passing, committed suicide. Thus, recent news says that the actor hanged himself after first attempting to cut his wrists.

Writing on Facebook, Buzz Aldrin, who is the second person ever to walk on the Moon, said that Robin Williams' death was nothing short of a tragedy, and stressed that, contrary to what some might assume, depression is a serious medical condition.

“I regarded Robin Williams as a friend and fellow sufferer. His passing is a great loss,” the former NASA astronaut wrote in his message the online community.

“The torment of depression and the complications of addiction that accompany it affect millions, including myself and family members before me - my grandfather committed suicide before I was born and my mother the year before I went to the moon - along with hundreds of veterans who come to a similar fate each year.”

“As individuals and as a nation we need to be compassionate and supportive of all who suffer and give them the resources to face life,” Apollo 11 moonwalker Buzz Aldrin added.

For those unaware, Robin Williams was no stranger to NASA's work probing the depths of space. On the contrary, back in 1988, he recorded a wake-up call for the crew aboard the Administration's Space Shuttle Discovery.

The wake-up call was played on the crew's first day in orbit. Check out the video below to see mission controllers laughing and smiling as the comedian's recorded message was broadcasted to the astronauts orbiting Earth.