Buzz Aldrin flies with the Thunderbirds

Famed astronaut Buzz Aldrin may have stolen the Melbourne Air & Space Show on Sunday before its official start. 

At 87 he became the oldest person to fly with the Air Force Thunderbirds, an experience not for faint of heart and one usually aimed at someone much younger.

Thousands flock to booming air show in Melbourne

Aldrin, who also is on staff at the Florida Institute of Technology was prepped for flight with Thunderbirds just before 10 a.m.  And a lucky few - including FLORIDA TODAY - were able to take photos and video. The white-haired  Aldrin sported a T-Shirt stating "Get your ass to Mars!" - a bold reference to NASA's, and others', efforts to pursue a manned mission to the Red Planet.

Aldrin was in the air for about 20 minutes before landing. He received a round of applause as he flew past the main staging area.

It wasn't immediately known where the Thunderbirds took Aldrin or what speeds they reached, though Greg Donovan, executive director of Orlando Melbourne International, said "Thunderbirds typically fly upwards to 700 miles per hour and today was no exception."

Donovan, who acted as Aldrin's host at the air show added: "The camaraderie between the astronaut and the airmen was one of mutual respect, with expressions of understandable awe on the young airmens' faces. He was especially impressed with the caliber of our airport operations and the air show."

Contact Price at 321-242-3658 or wprice@floridatoday.com. You can also follow him on Twitter @Fla2dayBiz.