May 02

Space Rocket History #253 – Apollo 12 – Moonwalk 2 – Part 4 – Surveyor Crater & Surveyor 3

Surveyor 3 was now to their right, 300 feet away, gleaming in the morning sunlight. Antennas and sensors still reached upward from its tubular frame, just as they had on April 20, 1967, when the spacecraft thumped onto the moon amid blasts from its braking rockets.

Approaching Surveyor 3 with LM in background

“The Fabulous Photo We Never Took.” by Alan Bean

Al Bean, Surveyor 3, and Intrepid

Apr 18

Space Rocket History #252 – Apollo 12 – Moonwalk 2 – Part 3 – Rock ‘n’ Roll at Halo Crater

The problem with running into the sun was it was so bright that Conrad and Bean could not see the moon’s surface features until they were right on top of them.

EVA 2 Traverse Map

Conrad’s photo of Bean on the way to Halo Crater

Rock ‘n’ Roll on the Ocean of Storms by Alan Bean

Mar 28

Space Rocket History #249 – Apollo 12 – Moonwalk 1 – Part 3

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.

Middle Crescent Crater

“He Ain’t Heavy” Painting by Alan Bean

Pete Conrad working at the MESA

Mar 21

Space Rocket History #248 – Apollo 12 – Moonwalk 1 – Part 2 – ALSEP

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.”

TV camera pointed at the sun

Bean carrying the ALSEP

EVA 1 cuff checklist