The history of early space exploration.
Episodes
Thursday Dec 28, 2023
Space Rocket History #249 – Apollo 12 – Moonwalk 1 – Part 3
Thursday Dec 28, 2023
Thursday Dec 28, 2023
Most of the remaining moon walk time was spent collecting rock samples, making surface observations such as the small mounds or hills, and taking pictures.
Thursday Dec 28, 2023
Space Rocket History #248 – Apollo 12 – Moonwalk 1 – Part 2 – ALSEP
Thursday Dec 28, 2023
Thursday Dec 28, 2023
According to the checklist, Bean was allowed 5 minutes to gain his balance and learn to walk on the Moon. Bean was amazed at his new buoyancy saying, “You can jump up in the air…” But Conrad wanted to press on saying, “Hustle, boy, hustle! We’ve got a lot of work to do.”
Monday Nov 27, 2023
Space Rocket History #247 – Apollo 12 – Moonwalk 1 – Part 1
Monday Nov 27, 2023
Monday Nov 27, 2023
“The old Surveyor, yes sir. It can’t be any more than 600 feet from here. How about that?” (Pete Conrad.)
Monday Nov 27, 2023
Monday Nov 27, 2023
“Hey, there it is! There it is! Son of a gun, right down the middle of the road! Look out there! I can’t believe it! Fantastic!” Pete Conrad when he saw his landing site.
Thursday Oct 26, 2023
Thursday Oct 26, 2023
There was adrenaline in Pete Conrad’s voice as he counted down the last seconds before ignition. He and Bean were still weightless, but their bodies were secured to the cabin floor by harnesses. “Seven, six, five.” Conrad pushed the PROCEED button on the computer, and a moment later Intrepid’s descent engine ignited 50,000 feet above the moon.
Thursday Oct 26, 2023
Space Rocket History #244 – Apollo 12 – Lunar Orbit
Thursday Oct 26, 2023
Thursday Oct 26, 2023
At 83 hours mission elapsed time, the long lunar coast was almost over. It was time for the lunar orbit insertion burn. This burn would put Yankee Clipper and Intrepid into lunar orbit.
Thursday Sep 28, 2023
Space Rocket History #243 – Apollo 12 – TLI and the Coast
Thursday Sep 28, 2023
Thursday Sep 28, 2023
It was impossible to check out the entire spacecraft; that could only be done on the ground. In the short time available, Griffin’s team ran a pre-maneuver check list, re-aligned the CSM platform, and discussed proceeding with the mission with the crew.
Thursday Sep 28, 2023
Space Rocket History #242 – Apollo 12 – The Launch Part 2
Thursday Sep 28, 2023
Thursday Sep 28, 2023
John Aaron’s (EECOM) next call made him a legend in Mission Control. He said quickly and confidently, “Flight, try S-C-E to Aux.”
Monday Aug 28, 2023
Space Rocket History #241 – Apollo 12 – The Launch Part 1
Monday Aug 28, 2023
Monday Aug 28, 2023
It was 68 degrees, overcast, and raining at Cape Kennedy on November 14, 1969. The ceiling was 2,100 feet and the winds were light. There was some discussion, while the astronauts were suiting-up, of scrubbing the launch, but that would mean ramping this whole thing down, draining every drop of fuel out of the Saturn, and sitting on their hands for a twenty-eight-day hold.
Monday Aug 28, 2023
Space Rocket History #240 – Apollo 12 – Saturn V Instrument Unit
Monday Aug 28, 2023
Monday Aug 28, 2023
The Saturn V’s control system was housed inside and also referred to as the Instrument Unit (IU). Marshall Space Flight Centers Astrionics Laboratory categorized the IU as the “brain” and “nerve center” of Saturn V.