Apollo 12’s launch was overshadowed by a downpour at Kennedy Space Center. Just after liftoff, the rocket was reportedly hit by lightning twice, causing some alarms to go off in the spacecraft. However, the crew remained calm and switched to their auxiliary power supply, which allowed them to continue their journey to the Moon.
On November 19, 1969, they achieved a precise landing in the Ocean of Storms, just a short walk from the Surveyor 3 probe, which had been sitting on the lunar surface since 1967. This marked a significant achievement in mission planning, proving that astronauts could land close to scientific sites of interest.
The crew, Commander Charles "Pete" Conrad and Lunar Module Pilot Alan L. Bean, spent just over a day on the lunar surface. They had trained extensively in geology, which made them well-equipped for their mission. Their equipment included the first color television camera brought to the Moon, although a mishap occurred when Bean accidentally pointed it at the Sun, ruining the sensor.
Conrad and Bean also removed parts from the Surveyor 3 spacecraft to bring back to Earth, all while Command Module Pilot Richard F. Gordon orbited above in the Command Module. After their successful exploration, the Lunar Module lifted off from the Moon on November 20 and docked with the Command Module to begin the return journey.
The mission concluded with a splashdown on November 24, 1969. Apollo 12 not only demonstrated NASA's ability to plan landings with precision but also showcased the resilience of astronauts in the face of unexpected challenges.
