TNews – On November 24, 1969, three space pioneers—Charles Conrad Jr., Richard Gordon, and Alan Bean—returned to Earth, bringing with them the triumph of the Apollo 12 manned mission. This mission was not just an expedition to the Moon; it marked a significant milestone in the history of space exploration. Launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on November 14, 1969, Apollo 12 embarked on a space journey that would prove human capabilities to land and walk on the Moon, even on the side facing Earth.
The Apollo 12 mission was the second manned mission to successfully land on the Moon. Their spacecraft, Apollo 12, consisted of the Yankee Clipper command module and the Intrepid lunar module. On November 19, 1969, the Intrepid lunar module successfully landed on Oceanus Procellarum, a vast lava plain on the Moon, strategically positioned with coordinates 3°0′44.60″ S, 23°25′17.65″ W.
During their two days on the lunar surface, the Apollo 12 astronauts conducted two crucial extravehicular activities (EVAs). The first EVA involved collecting samples of Moon rocks and soil, marking the initial steps to bring back valuable extraterrestrial pieces to Earth. Meanwhile, the second EVA involved exploring the Surveyor 3 spacecraft, which had landed on the Moon in 1967. The astronauts investigated and studied the conditions of the spacecraft, providing valuable insights into the Moon’s environmental impact on space objects.
Read More : Global Economic Crisis, Navigating the Perfect Storm of Challenges
Of course, the achievements of the Apollo 12 crew were not confined to physical exploration. During their time on the Moon, these astronauts also installed experimental devices to study the Moon’s gravity and magnetic field. This action created opportunities for a deeper understanding of the Moon’s unique characteristics, enriching human scientific knowledge about outer space.
On November 24, 1969, the Intrepid lunar module, along with the collected samples and valuable findings, rendezvoused with the Yankee Clipper command module. The departure from the Moon marked the beginning of the anticipated journey back. Three days after leaving the Moon, on November 24, the Yankee Clipper command module entered Earth’s atmosphere at 13:47 UTC.
