Nov 14 1969
From The Space Library
Space News for this day. (1MB PDF)
Click here to listen to the Apollo 12 Launch VOA Coverage
Click here to listen to the Apollo 12 TLI Burn VOA Coverage
Click here to listen to the Apollo 12 Post Launch President Nixon VOA Coverage
Click here to listen to the Apollo 12 Post Launch Press Conference VOA Coverage
November 14-24: Apollo 12 (AS-507), second manned lunar landing mission, was successfully flown by NASA. Spacecraft's LM -6, Intrepid, made pinpoint landing Nov. 19 on lunar surface near Surveyor III, which had landed April 19, 1967. Two astronauts deployed experiments, took photos, and collected samples in two EVA periods on moon before lifting off to dock with orbiting CSM -108, Yankee Clipper, and return safely to earth. November 14-18: Spacecraft carrying Astronauts Charles (Pete) Conrad, Jr. (commander), Richard F. Gordon, Jr. (CM pilot), and Alan L. Bean (LM pilot) was launched from KSC Launch Complex 39, Pad A, by Saturn V booster at 11:22 am EST Nov. 14. Launch was watched by 3,000 invited guests, including President and Mrs. Nixon. Weather conditions at launch were minimal: peak ground winds of 14 knots, light rain showers, broken clouds at 800 ft, and overcast at 10,000 ft with tops at 21,000 ft. During ascent observers on ground saw two parallel streaks of lightning flash between clouds and launch pad. NASA reported electrical transients, later attributed to electrical potential discharges from clouds through spacecraft to ground, had suddenly shut off spacecraft's electrical power at 00:36 GET and turned on numerous alarms in CM. Spacecraft automatically switched to backup battery power while crew restored primary power system. Commander Conrad radioed, "We had everything in the world drop out." Control Center commented, "We've had a couple of cardiac arrests down here, too." "There wasn't time up here," Conrad answered. Power system remained normal throughout rest of mission. Spacecraft entered planned parking orbit with 118-mi (189.9-km) apogee and 115.0-mi (185.0-km) perigee. After postlaunch checkout CSM separated from Saturn V 3rd stage (S-IVB ) and LM, code-named Intrepid. Onboard TV initiated after separation clearly showed CSM transposing and docking with LM at 3:27 GET and ice on windows from rain frozen during liftoff. Crew ejected CSM /M from S-IVB and conducted first SPS burn for trans-lunar insertion. Slingshot maneuver placed S-IVB into earth orbit with 515,549.4 - to 560,429.9-mi (829,519.0 - to 901,731.7-km) apogee and 93,213.2- to 109,324.1-mi (149,980.0- to 175,902.5-km) perigee and period of 39 to 45 days, instead of heliocentric orbit planned, because of error in instrument unit. To ensure that electrical transients during launch had not affected LM systems, Conrad and Bean entered LM at 7:20 GET for housekeeping and systems checks. All checks indicated systems were satisfactory. Translunar insertion maneuver was so accurate that midcourse maneuver No. 1 was not necessary. Midcourse correction No. 2, at 30:53 GET, placed spacecraft on desired hybrid circumlunar trajectory with closest approach of 69.1 mi; third and fourth maneuvers were not necessary. Good-quality TV coverage of preparations for and performance of midcourse maneuver was transmitted for 47 min. Conrad and Bean began transfer to LM during translunar coast 1/2 hr earlier than planned to obtain full TV coverage through Goldstone tracking station. The 56-min transmission, beginning at 62:52 GET, showed excellent color pictures of CSM, intravehicular transfer, LM interior, earth, and moon. Gordon reported crew was in good condition. TV broadcast scheduled for 81:30 GET before lunar orbit insertion was canceled because of sun angle and glare on spacecraft windows.
Spacecraft entered lunar orbit with 194.3-mi (312.6-km) apolune and 72.0-mi (115.9-km) perilune at 83:25 GET (10:47 pm EST Nov. 17) after first SPS burn. During first lunar orbit good quality TV coverage of lunar surface was transmitted for 33 min. Crew provided excellent descriptions of lunar features. Second SPS burn circularized orbit with 76.1-mi (122.5-km) apolune and 62.5-mi (100.6-km) perilune at 87:47 GET. Conrad and Bean transferred to LM for 11/2-hr housekeeping, voice and telemetry test, and oxygen-purge-system check and then returned to CM.
November 18-21: Conrad and Bean reentered LM and checked out all systems before firing reaction-control-system thrusters at 107:54 GET to separate CSM and LM. Descent-propulsion-system engine propelled LM to position 4.6-5.8 mi north of expected ground track and error was corrected during powered descent maneuver. LM guidance computer was updated during powered descent to compensate for indications that trajectory was 4,200 ft short of target point. At entry into approach phase trajectory was close to nominal. Crew took over manual control at 370 ft, passed over right side of target crater, and flew to left for landing on moon's Ocean of Storms about 600 ft from Surveyor III spacecraft at 111:32 GET (1:55 am EST Nov. 19). Landing coordinates were approximately 3.036° S and 23.418° W. Conrad reported extensive dust obscuring view during final descent. After landing he reported sighting CMS orbiting overhead. Gordon, orbiting moon in CM Yankee Clipper, reported sighting Surveyor III and Intrepid on moon.
Conrad opened LM hatch at 115:11 GET, descended LM ladder, and deployed modularized equipment stowage assembly (MESA) containing camera which recorded his descent to lunar surface. Conrad reported seeing Surveyor III spacecraft and said LM had landed 25 ft downrange from lip of crater. Conrad, inches shorter than Neil A. Armstrong, who had stepped onto moon July 21, had difficulty taking last step from ladder. When he touched lunar surface at 115.22 GET (6:44 am EST Nov. 19) Conrad said, "Whoopee! Man, that may have been a small step for Neil, but that's a long one for me." He said lunar surface was soft and loosely packed, causing his boots to dig in as he walked, and sun was bright like a spotlight. LM had landed so gently its shock-absorbing legs were barely telescoped by gentle impact.
Conrad recorded Bean's descent to lunar surface at 115:52 GET (7:14 am EST Nov. 19). Shortly after color TV camera was removed from MESA bracket, transmission was lost and was not regained for remainder of EVA. Crew collected 40- to 50-lb contingency sample and reported mounds resembling volcanoes. Mounds were 4 ft high with flattened tops 5 ft wide and sides sloping out to 15- to 20-ft dia. Conrad said he saw neither breccia nor vesicular rocks, only basalts. Lithium hydroxide canisters and contingency sample were transferred to LM ; S-band antenna, solar wind composition experiment, and American flag were deployed as planned. ALSEP with SNAP -27 atomic generator was deployed 600-700 ft from LM. Shortly after deployment passive seismometer transmitted to earth signals from astronauts, footsteps as they returned to LM. During deployment astronauts kicked up dust and some adhered to instruments. Overall effect would be determined through long-term measurements of system's engineering parameters. Conrad and Bean dusted each other off and entered Intrepid after 3 hrs 56 min walking on lunar surface.
After resting inside LM and checking plans for second EVA period, astronauts left LM at 131:33 GET (10:55 pm EST Nov. 19), 1 hr 40 min ahead of schedule. Astronauts stored LM TV camera in equipment transfer bag for return to earth for failure analysis. Conrad walked to ALSEP site to check leveling of lunar atmosphere detector. Astronaut movement on surface was recorded on passive seismometer and lunar surface magnetometer. EVA traverse took crew to ALSEP deployment site, Head Crater, Bench Crater, Sharp Crater, Halo Crater, Surveyor III site, Block Crater, and back to LM. Astronauts walked 1,500-2,000 ft from LM, covering about 6,000-ft distance, their confidence and speed increasing with experience. After walk Conrad reported he had fallen once but Bean had picked him up without difficulty. Conrad rolled grapefruit-sized rock down wall of Head Crater about 300-400 ft from passive seismometer, but no significant response was detected.
Crew obtained desired photographic panoramas, core samples, trench sample, lunar environment sample, and assorted rock, dirt, bedrock, and molten samples. They reported fine dust buildup on all sides of larger rocks and said soil color lightened as depth increased. Crew reported Surveyor footpad marks were still visible and entire spacecraft looked brown, as if something had rained on it. Glass parts were not broken. Crew retrieved parts of Surveyor III, including TV camera and soil scoop. They then retrieved solar wind composition experiment and stowed it in equipment bag, took stereo pictures near LM, and transferred all collected samples, parts, and equipment to LM. They dusted off, reentered LM, and jettisoned equipment according to plan, closing hatch by 134:82 GET (2:44 am EST Nov. 20), after 3 hrs 49 min walking on lunar surface in second EVA period.
While LM was on moon Gordon, orbiting moon in CSM, completed lunar multispectral photography experiment and photographed Wall of Theophilus and future landing sites, Fra Mauro and Descartes. Film would be analyzed to aid scientists in planning for future sample collection and in extrapolating known compositions from returned samples to parts of moon that would not be visited.
At 142:04 GET (9:26 am EST Nov. 20) LM successfully lifted off moon after 31 hrs 31 min on lunar surface, leaving LM descent stage. Astronauts brought back 95 lbs of lunar surface samples, parts of Surveyor III, films, and miniature flags of 136 nations, 50 U.S. states, and 4 U.S. possessions. A 1.2-sec overburn of LM ascent propulsion system caused by incorrect manual switching sequence prevented automatic shutdown of engine and resulted in insertion velocity 32 fps greater than planned, placing LM in orbit with 71.4-mi (114.9-km) apolune and 10.6-mi (17.1-km) perilune. Crew quickly recognized discrepancy, manually shut down engine, and used RSC trim maneuver to enter planned orbit with 53.3-mi (85.8-km) apolune and 10.1-mi (16.3-km) perilune.
Rendezvous maneuvers occurred as planned and LM docked with CSM at 145:36 GET (12:58 pm EST Nov. 20). TV was transmitted from CSM for last 24 min of rendezvous sequence. Crew transferred with samples, equipment, and film to CSM ; LM ascent stage was jettisoned and intentionally crashed onto lunar surface at 5:17 pm EST Nov. 20 about 44.9 mi (72.2 km) southeast of Surveyor III Crash was detected by seismometer left on moon and produced reverberations lasting for more than 30 min. Crew made CSM plane-change maneuver at 159:05 GET and took high-resolution and stereo-strip photos and tracked landmarks, to conclude planned photography of Fra Mauro, Descartes, and Lalande.
November 21-24: Crew fired SPS engine at 172:27 GET (3:49 pm EST Nov. 21) , injecting CSM into transearth trajectory after 89 hrs 2 min (44 revolutions) in lunar orbit. Midcourse correction No. 5, at 188:28 GET, was so accurate that sixth correction was not necessary. TV transmission of receding moon and spacecraft interior was transmitted for 38 min, beginning at 192:27 GET. Good-quality transmission of question-and-answer period with scientists and press was conducted for 37 min, beginning at 224:07 GET. Final midcourse correction-No. 7 at 241:24 GET-resulted in predicted entry velocity of 36,116 fps and flight path angle of -6.47°. CM Yankee Clipper separated from SM at 244:07 GET. Parachute deployment and other reentry events occurred as planned. Yankee Clipper splashed down in mid-Pacific at 244:36 GET (3:58 pm EST Nov. 24), 4.03 mi from recovery ship U.S.S. Hornet. Astronauts, wearing flight suits and masks, were carried by helicopter from CM to recovery ship, where they entered mobile quarantine facility (MQF) with recovery physician and technician. Crew, physician, and technician remained inside MQF until it was delivered to Lunar Receiving Laboratory in Houston.
CM was retrieved and mated to MQF transfer tunnel on board recovery ship. From inside MQF/CM containment envelope, MQF engineer removed lunar samples and equipment through decontamination lock and CM was sealed until delivery to LRL. Sample return containers, film, and other data were flown to Pago Pago and to Houston for transport to LRL.
Primary Apollo 12 mission objectives-to perform selenological inspection, survey, and sampling of mare area, deploy and activate ALSEP, develop techniques for point landing capability, develop man's capability to work in lunar environment, and obtain photos of candidate exploration sites-were achieved. All launch vehicle and spacecraft systems performed according to plan, with only minor and corrected discrepancies. Flight crew performance was outstanding. All three crew members remained in excellent health and good spirits. Accomplishments included first use of hybrid trajectory, largest U.S. payload placed into lunar orbit (72,335 lbs after lunar orbit insertion), first demonstration of point landing capability, first use of two EVA periods, first recharge of portable life-support system, first double-core-tube sample, first return of samples from vehicle previously landed on moon, longest distance traversed on lunar surface, first multispectral photography from lunar orbit, and longest lunar mission to date.
Apollo 12 was ninth Apollo mission to date, sixth manned Apollo mission, and second manned lunar landing mission. Apollo 11 (July 16-24, 1969) had proved capability to perform manned landing on moon and return and to retrieve lunar samples for study on earth. Apollo Program was directed by NASA Office of Manned Space Flight; MSC was responsible for Apollo spacecraft development, MSFC for Saturn V launch vehicle, and KSC for launch operations. Tracking and data acquisition was managed by GSFC under overall direction of NASA Office of Tracking and Data Acquisition. (NASA Proj Off; Mission Commentary; NASA Release 69-148; FonF; NYT, 11/15-26/69; W Post, 11/15-26/69; W Star, 11/15-26/69; B Sun, 11/15-26/69)
November 14: President Nixon became first President to witness space launch while in office when he, Mrs. Nixon, and daughter Tricia viewed Apollo 12 launch at KSC. President called liftoff "spectacular." Later he addressed NASA personnel in Launch Control: ". . . I know there has been a lot of discussion as to what the future of the space program is. . . . I do think you can be assured that in Dr. Paine and his colleagues you have men who are dedicated to this program, who are making the case for it . . . as against other national priorities and making it very effectively. I leaned in the direction of the program before. After hearing what they have had to say with regard to our future plans, I must say that I lean even more in that direction. . . . I realize that in those within the program . . . there are different attitudes as to what the emphasis should be, whether we should emphasize more exploration or more in taking the knowledge we have already acquired and making practical applications of it. . . . We want to have a balanced program, but most important, we are going forward. America . . . is first in space." (Carroll, B Sun, 11/15/69, Al; PD, 11/17/69, 1601-2)
Tass carried Apollo 12 report shortly before launch. Report described mission objectives and ended: "We wish a successful flight and a safe return to the courageous team of the American spaceship Apollo 12." (Reuters, W Post, 11/15/69, A6)
While there was some "feeling of dejavu" at Cocoa Beach, near Apollo 12 launch site, some residents, especially local business men, believed interest in Apollo 12 was "just as keen as in any other launching," New York Times said. Manager Hal Saunders of Cape Kennedy Hilton Hotel had said, while pace seemed calmer and more organized, people were no less excited than before. He felt there were more tourists at Cape Kennedy this week than in July because "fewer were scared by press reports . . . that all facilities would be jammed." Many were seeing launch for first time "and it is still a thoroughly thrilling experience." (Blakeslee, NYT, 11/14/69, 33)
Liverworts grown in lunar soil at LRL had reached three-inch height and were "green and happy," Washington Post said, while controls, grown in earth soil, were "puny-not even an inch high-and pale." Difference in plants, commonly found on rocks and in forests and among first to grow in volcanic areas, had been considered small when first noted in August. However, LRL Chief of Preventive Medicine, Dr. William Kemmerer, now called difference "one of the really unexpected results of the lunar mission." Plant tests had been conducted to see if lunar material caused harm to earth plants. Control plants had been grown in desert soil. Tobacco cells and soy bean cells in culture with lunar soil had done better than controls in earth soil; ferns were growing "more spectacularly" than some grown in earth soil. Man's knowledge of trace mineral requirements in plants and animals was "very, very limited," Dr. Kemmerer had said. don't think we'll find something going on in lunar nutrition that we don't find on the earth. I do think important questions have been raised." (Cohn, W Post, 11/14/69)
Control of Azur, West German research satellite launched by NASA Nov. 7, was phased over to German control center. Turn-on and checkout of all subsystems and instruments had been completed within six days after launch. All housekeeping and scientific data values were well within expected ranges, but spurious commands had been occurring intermittently; program of protective commands had been developed to keep spacecraft in proper mode of operation. (NASA Proj Off)
NASA and DOD announced signing of agreement between NASA and U.S. Army Materiel Command to expand national capability in low-speed aviation technology through joint use of NASA test chambers, wind tunnels, and other facilities. Agreement expanded effort at ARC and established similar arrangement at LaRC and LeRC. (NASA Release 69-150)
LeRC announced award of $2.5-million letter contract to United Aircraft Corp.'s Pratt & Whitney Div. to build and test 18 R14-10 A3-3 rocket engines. Engine, developed in 1958 and first liquid-hydrogen and liquid-oxygen engine to be flown in space, would be used on Centaur high-energy upper-stage rockets in early 1970s. (LeRC Release 69-68)
U.S. astronauts and Soviet cosmonauts, in joint space efforts, could succeed in improving U.S.-Soviet relations where "tired old politicians" had failed, Sen. Barry M. Goldwater (R-Ariz.) said during visit to MSC. "Maybe this would be a way to break through to the rulers of Russia. When you get professional people together-scientists, aviators . . you find you have many common problems." Sen. Goldwater said he hoped Apollo 8 Astronaut Frank Borman would not seek Senate seat in 1970 but would wait awhile "and take mine." (UPI, NYT, 11/16/69, 79)
USAF announced decision not to fund C-5A procurement beyond FY 1970 program of 23 aircraft. Budget constraints had reduced program requirements from 120 to 81 aircraft. (DOD Release 998-69)
National Aeronautic Assn. conferred title "Elder Statesman of Aviation" on Adm. Joseph J. Clark (USN, Ret.), Katherine Stinson Oteroo, and William A. Patterson, retired President of United Air Lines. (W Star, 11/15/69, A3)
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