Page 56 - The Appollo Story

~----------1 The Apollo Story1-----------......_

Apollo 12 (AS-507) A Sea Of Storms
The most dramatic moment of the mission occurred during the launch, which went ahead despite heavy
rainstorms in the Cape Kennedy area. After 36.5 seconds the 363ft (11 lm) high Saturn V became a mas-
sive lightning conductor when a bolt struck, plunging the capsule into momentary darkness and causing a
break of several seconds in the telemetry feeds to Mission Control The backup batteries came on line and
Pete Conrad voiced his concerns. 'I think we got hit by lightning. We just lost the guidance platform,
gang. I don't know what happened here.'
Thankfully the Saturn V's independent guidance system had not been affected by the jolt, and with telem-
etry restored an abort was narrowly avoided. Riding a column of flame, Apollo 12 pushed on up into a
parking orbit where the crew were able to verify the functionality of their spacecraft before initiating the
Trans-Lunar injection (TLI).
The cover is signed by Alan Bean, the LM Pilot.

Thunderstorm launch
APOLLO 12 Ii BoJ( 1
• Gewitterstart • ~~ockle~l 13

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, NASA
APOLLO 12

VEHICLE -ACC~S~A}KING
PERMIT NO. · .. '::t
SECURITY OFFICER