A Perfect Landing

Overshadowed between two dramatic missions, the success of Apollo 12 was vital to the continuing space project.

Alan Bean collecting soil samples, with Pete Conrad reflected in his visor, the Moon, November 1969 © Bettmann/Getty Images.

Pete Conrad was confused. One minute he was commenting cheerfully on a ‘lovely lift-off’ and the next the master alarm was blaring through his headset. He was the only one on board who had seen the flash outside but, as the three crew members scrambled to work out what was wrong, he still did not know what it was.

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