They got nailed by lighting just after takeoff…BAM! The Angels side in for another
homer! Rick Mackinney & The Quiz Angels
*****
[I may not have] the right answer, but the standing people at the command center leads
me to believe that something was wrong. The rocket booster appears to still be on the
ground.
No matter if this is wrong, I went through a bit of history of our space program which
looking for this picture (which I did not find), and my wonder of the challenge of man-
in-space was renewed.
Sputnik, of Russia, had a effect on my career. I was a new high school science
teacher, and the National Science Foundation started funding grants to science
teachers. I used 3 of those grants to get a Master's degree at Tulane.
Lastly, this era was one of the last in which I felt this nation had a unified sense of
purpose. We all wanted to put a man on the moon. It bears remembering that we
actually did that, and the lost astronauts bear remembering as well.
Maureen O'Connor
*****
Personal Footnote: As part of the Apollo landing, they removed the scoop from the
Surveyer moon lander and returned it to earth. The scoop is now part of the Kansas
Cosmosphere (town of Hutchinson, KS). The Cosmosphere also contains the Apollo
13 capsule and the Liberty Bell 7 Mercury capsule. Great museum of space travel and
the Cold War. Evan Hindman
*****
homer! Rick Mackinney & The Quiz Angels
*****
[I may not have] the right answer, but the standing people at the command center leads
me to believe that something was wrong. The rocket booster appears to still be on the
ground.
No matter if this is wrong, I went through a bit of history of our space program which
looking for this picture (which I did not find), and my wonder of the challenge of man-
in-space was renewed.
Sputnik, of Russia, had a effect on my career. I was a new high school science
teacher, and the National Science Foundation started funding grants to science
teachers. I used 3 of those grants to get a Master's degree at Tulane.
Lastly, this era was one of the last in which I felt this nation had a unified sense of
purpose. We all wanted to put a man on the moon. It bears remembering that we
actually did that, and the lost astronauts bear remembering as well.
Maureen O'Connor
*****
Personal Footnote: As part of the Apollo landing, they removed the scoop from the
Surveyer moon lander and returned it to earth. The scoop is now part of the Kansas
Cosmosphere (town of Hutchinson, KS). The Cosmosphere also contains the Apollo
13 capsule and the Liberty Bell 7 Mercury capsule. Great museum of space travel and
the Cold War. Evan Hindman
*****
 |  |  |  |
| If you enjoy our quizzes, don't forget to order our books! Click here. |
| If you have a picture you'd like us to feature a picture in a future quiz, please email it to us at CFitzp@aol.com. If we use it, you will receive a free analysis of your picture. You will also receive a free Forensic Genealogy CD or a 10% discount towards the purchase of the Forensic Genealogy book. |
| Quiz #152 Results |
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| ********** |
| ********** |
| Answer to Quiz #152 - March 23, 2008 |
| ********** |
| ********** |
1969. Dr. Thomas Paine, NASA
Administrator, shields Mrs. Richard
M. Nixon from rain while the
President and daughter, Tricia
foreground, watch Apollo 12
prelaunch activities at the Kennedy
Space Center viewing area.
http://fcit.usf.edu/FLORIDA/photos/nasa/people/people24.htm
Administrator, shields Mrs. Richard
M. Nixon from rain while the
President and daughter, Tricia
foreground, watch Apollo 12
prelaunch activities at the Kennedy
Space Center viewing area.
http://fcit.usf.edu/FLORIDA/photos/nasa/people/people24.htm
| The transcript for the radio transmissions between the shuttle and mission control during lift off and the flight to the moon is available here: http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/ap12fj/01launch_to_earth_orbit.htm |
| 1969. Overall view of the Firing Room #02 in the launch Control Center during the Countdown Demonstration Test for the Apollo 12 mission. http://fcit.usf.edu/FLORIDA/photos/nasa/people/people23.htm |
| ********** |
| 1969. The Apollo 12 lunar Extravehicular Activity (EVA) crew members, Pete Conrad and Al Bean conduct a simulation of the lunar surface activity planned for their lunar landing mission at a training session held in the Flight Crew Training Building at the Kennedy Space Center. http://fcit.usf.edu/FLORIDA/photos/nasa/people/people22.htm |
| The Lightning Strike http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_12 |
| I thought this looked like something around the Apollo era and when I took a really good look at the enlarged picture I noticed the right-most board indicated it was the Apollo 12 launch. I also noticed the time indicated on the screen to the left of it and subtracting the numbers I knew the event was 36 seconds into the launch, so I searched for that and found out about the lightening strike. I should admit here though that I initially did a generic Apollo search before taking a closer look and seeing the screen indicating Apollo 12. Brian Kemp By zooming in to the signboard in the upper right corner of the photo I got the answer: Apollo 12 was launched on Nov. 12, 1969 from Cape Kennedy at 11:22 am est. At about 36 seconds into the launch, the vehicle was struck by lightning at the altitude of about 6,000 feet. "What a day the rain came to." - Enya Mike Dalton |
It was the only lift-off witnessed in person by President Dick Nixon and it got hit by
lightning. Twice. Coincidence?? I think not... Andy Hoh
lightning. Twice. Coincidence?? I think not... Andy Hoh
| ********** |
| How Brian and Mike Solved the Puzzle |
| View of movable launch stand and mission clock showing 2:54 into the Apollo 12 mission |
This [is], of course, the launch of Apollo
12 on 14 November 1969. It was and still
is the only manned spacecraft launch
witnessed in person by a sitting President.
It was raining, as you can tell from the
photo. I was a senior in high school and
had won a science award from NASA
earlier in the year. All of the students who
won the award got to go to Marshall
Space Flight Center to present their
research, receive the award, and meet Dr.
12 on 14 November 1969. It was and still
is the only manned spacecraft launch
witnessed in person by a sitting President.
It was raining, as you can tell from the
photo. I was a senior in high school and
had won a science award from NASA
earlier in the year. All of the students who
won the award got to go to Marshall
Space Flight Center to present their
research, receive the award, and meet Dr.
| Great Personal Story from Tom Tullis |
telemetry might be caused by a malfunction in the launch vehicle's Signal Conditioning
Equipment (SCE), since the SCE converted raw instrument data into forms usable by
spacecraft instrument displays and ground telemetry equipment, and it would have
automatically gone off-line in response to the kind of disruption to the spacecraft's
electrical systems that a lightning strike would cause.
With this in mind, Aaron suggested the crew "Try SCE to aux" – thereby forcing the
backup SCE on-line. The command was a relatively obscure one and neither the Flight
Director, nor CAPCOM, nor Mission Commander Conrad could immediately recall how
to implement it; however, lunar module pilot Alan Bean remembered that the SCE
Equipment (SCE), since the SCE converted raw instrument data into forms usable by
spacecraft instrument displays and ground telemetry equipment, and it would have
automatically gone off-line in response to the kind of disruption to the spacecraft's
electrical systems that a lightning strike would cause.
With this in mind, Aaron suggested the crew "Try SCE to aux" – thereby forcing the
backup SCE on-line. The command was a relatively obscure one and neither the Flight
Director, nor CAPCOM, nor Mission Commander Conrad could immediately recall how
to implement it; however, lunar module pilot Alan Bean remembered that the SCE
switch was on his panel because of a training incident a
year prior to launch where just such a failure had been
simulated. Aaron's quick thinking and Bean's memory
were able to salvage what otherwise would have been an
aborted mission (at the time of the failure, the flight had
just entered abort mode One Bravo). With telemetry
restored, the crew proceeded to parking orbit and was
able to restore and verify the functionality of their
spacecraft before re-igniting the S-IVB third stage for
trans-lunar injection.
year prior to launch where just such a failure had been
simulated. Aaron's quick thinking and Bean's memory
were able to salvage what otherwise would have been an
aborted mission (at the time of the failure, the flight had
just entered abort mode One Bravo). With telemetry
restored, the crew proceeded to parking orbit and was
able to restore and verify the functionality of their
spacecraft before re-igniting the S-IVB third stage for
trans-lunar injection.
| YouTube Interview with Alan Bean Apollo 12 Crew Member Click here. |
| YouTube Video of Apollo 12 Launch and Lightning Strike Click here. |
Apollo 12 launched on schedule, during a
rainstorm. 36.5 seconds after lift-off
from Kennedy Space Center, the Saturn
V rocket body was hit by a bolt of
lightning. The CM's instruments
momentarily went off-line and Mission
Control lost the telemetry feeds from the
spacecraft for several seconds. When
ground control regained telemetry lock
with the spacecraft, the feeds were
garbled and reported incomplete and
possibly inaccurate information. EECOM
John Aaron thought that the garbled
rainstorm. 36.5 seconds after lift-off
from Kennedy Space Center, the Saturn
V rocket body was hit by a bolt of
lightning. The CM's instruments
momentarily went off-line and Mission
Control lost the telemetry feeds from the
spacecraft for several seconds. When
ground control regained telemetry lock
with the spacecraft, the feeds were
garbled and reported incomplete and
possibly inaccurate information. EECOM
John Aaron thought that the garbled
| Apollo 12 Mission Overview http://www.lpi.usra.edu/lunar/missions/apollo/apollo_12/overview/ |
| Comments from Our Readers |
Please find attached a photo of my father, Norman C.
Schaller, head of Test & Balance, Vanguard (later NASA)
with Explorer I. Cryptically noted on back of photo -
Explorer I now in orbit.
An interesting aside is the double direct impact the 'space
race' had on my life. First, my father was very involved and
Schaller, head of Test & Balance, Vanguard (later NASA)
with Explorer I. Cryptically noted on back of photo -
Explorer I now in orbit.
An interesting aside is the double direct impact the 'space
race' had on my life. First, my father was very involved and
| ********** |
resulted in many trips to Florida watching rockets blow up from the beach. (If they
blew, he was not going to be in a good mood.) Second, the fact that the Russians beat
us resulted in an change in the educational system. I saw that first hand. From 7th
grade on in Prince George's County public schools, I was tracked. They included girls
which when you think of it was rather Russian not American. I was placed in
accelerated math, science and languages. My father went with Goddard Space Flight
Center in Greenbelt, MD. By the time I completed public high school in 1965 I had a
wonderful education: Calculus, Biology, Advanced Biology, Chemistry, Physics, four
years of foreign languages plus the usual English and Social Studies. I demanded to be
moved from Home Ec to Mechanical Drawing so I had 3 years of that also.
My love of genealogy has taught me the value of history as well as science. In order to
contemplate the future we must understand the past. (Someone else said that but my
English is still weak.) Sherry Marshall
*****
I loved this puzzle. My husband and I (who both followed the space program back in
the day) worked together over our Easter morning breakfast. It brought back
wonderful memories. Thanks. Mary Osmar
*****
Yet another fact that I was unaware of. At the time, I was a 20 year old fine arts major
without a TV and I'm sure I never read a newspaper then. Mary South
*****
That was an exciting time - and nerve wracking, too, wondering if they were going to
have to abort. But, a very young electrical engineer, John Aaron had remembered a
similar strike about a year prior, and was able to tell Alan Bean which switch to throw.
All went well, and they eventually landed safely. Jinny Collins
*****
Interesting note: The Apollo 12 backup crew managed to insert into the astronaut's
lunar checklist (attached to the wrists of Conrad's and Bean's spacesuits) reduced sized
pictures of Playboy centerfolds. (Those poor guys!)
Another interesting note: Austronaut Pete Conrad and I have a common ancestor in
1683: Thones Kunders who was one of the people who started Germantown, PA and
on whose table the first petition against slavery was signed. Emily Aulicino
*****
It's interesting that you posted this picture, as I was just driving by the Kennedy Space
Center in Cape Canaveral on Saturday morning. Tom Tollefsen
*****
It was pretty scary and you can watch it on YouTube. Carolyn Cornelius
*****
blew, he was not going to be in a good mood.) Second, the fact that the Russians beat
us resulted in an change in the educational system. I saw that first hand. From 7th
grade on in Prince George's County public schools, I was tracked. They included girls
which when you think of it was rather Russian not American. I was placed in
accelerated math, science and languages. My father went with Goddard Space Flight
Center in Greenbelt, MD. By the time I completed public high school in 1965 I had a
wonderful education: Calculus, Biology, Advanced Biology, Chemistry, Physics, four
years of foreign languages plus the usual English and Social Studies. I demanded to be
moved from Home Ec to Mechanical Drawing so I had 3 years of that also.
My love of genealogy has taught me the value of history as well as science. In order to
contemplate the future we must understand the past. (Someone else said that but my
English is still weak.) Sherry Marshall
*****
I loved this puzzle. My husband and I (who both followed the space program back in
the day) worked together over our Easter morning breakfast. It brought back
wonderful memories. Thanks. Mary Osmar
*****
Yet another fact that I was unaware of. At the time, I was a 20 year old fine arts major
without a TV and I'm sure I never read a newspaper then. Mary South
*****
That was an exciting time - and nerve wracking, too, wondering if they were going to
have to abort. But, a very young electrical engineer, John Aaron had remembered a
similar strike about a year prior, and was able to tell Alan Bean which switch to throw.
All went well, and they eventually landed safely. Jinny Collins
*****
Interesting note: The Apollo 12 backup crew managed to insert into the astronaut's
lunar checklist (attached to the wrists of Conrad's and Bean's spacesuits) reduced sized
pictures of Playboy centerfolds. (Those poor guys!)
Another interesting note: Austronaut Pete Conrad and I have a common ancestor in
1683: Thones Kunders who was one of the people who started Germantown, PA and
on whose table the first petition against slavery was signed. Emily Aulicino
*****
It's interesting that you posted this picture, as I was just driving by the Kennedy Space
Center in Cape Canaveral on Saturday morning. Tom Tollefsen
*****
It was pretty scary and you can watch it on YouTube. Carolyn Cornelius
*****
| What happened 2 minutes and 17 1/2 seconds before this photo was taken? |
| Many thanks to Tom Tullis for submitting the idea for this quiz. |
| Congratulations to Our Winners! Ashley Hicks and Jina Yi, Mr. Rick's Quiz Angels >> Atta Way Angels! << Alan Cullinan Karen Kay Bunting Sandy Thompson Mike Swierczewski Theresa Yu Justin Campoli Carl Blessing Evan Hindman Theresa White Sherry Marshall Bill Lonergan Beth Long Eric Goforth Rex Cornelius Stan Read Gary Sterne Dave Town Mary Osmar Lexie Condit Deb Pritchard Margaret Waterman Mary South Judy Pfaff Pamela Hoffman Erica Augustine Vicki Hilb Kelly Fetherlin Jinny Collins Betty Chambers Cheri Black Emily Aulicino Betty Ware Robert E. McKenna Rick Norman Mary Fraser Diane Burkett Karen Petrus Susan Edminster Grace Hertz Debbie Sterbinsky Andy Hoh Joshua Chambers Claudio Trapote Dave Doucette Lori Semashko Gina Hudson Brian Kemp Carolyn Cornelius Dave Richardson Wayne Douglas Fred Stuart Delores Martin Sharon Martin Suzan Farris Marilyn Hamill Milene Rawlinson Suzan Farris |
Answer:
Shortly after lift-off - at Ground Elapsed times of 36.5 seconds and 52 secs-lightning
struck both the Apollo 12 Saturn V and the launch tower on November 14, 1969.
Personnel in the Firing Room at the Cape listen to the Apollo 12 crew and Mission
Control (Houston) overcome the effects of the lightning strike. Note that the picture
was taken at 2 min 54 seconds into the mission on November 14, 1969.
Shortly after lift-off - at Ground Elapsed times of 36.5 seconds and 52 secs-lightning
struck both the Apollo 12 Saturn V and the launch tower on November 14, 1969.
Personnel in the Firing Room at the Cape listen to the Apollo 12 crew and Mission
Control (Houston) overcome the effects of the lightning strike. Note that the picture
was taken at 2 min 54 seconds into the mission on November 14, 1969.
| ********** |
| Title over Screen is Apollo 12 Launch Display shows altitude of spacecraft |
| Clues to the Answer |
| Tom is in the lower left facing away from the camera. http://www.apollomissionphotos.com/nixon1.jpg |
| ********** |
| Why Tom Was at the Launch |
Wernher von Braun. Then we were all invited to attend the launch of Apollo 12 in
November. We were in the VIP viewing stand, which is near the Vehicle Assembly
Building (VAB). The main thing I remember about the launch itself was the tremendous
crackling noise from the Saturn V booster after it got up into the air. This is also the
vehicle that was struck by lighting 36.5 seconds after liftoff. The on-board instruments
momentarily went off-line, which must have been quite scare for the astronauts. Of
course, none of us watching from the viewing stand knew about this. By the way, the
Commander of Apollo 12 was Pete Conrad, who I later had the opportunity to work
with at McDonnell Douglas on the early design of the International Space Station for
NASA.
In the photo at http://www.apollomissionphotos.com/nixon1.jpg, I'm pretty sure that's
me in the very bottom-left corner, looking away from the camera. (Not the taller one
blocking part of Nixon.) The girl next to me, with the long hair and glasses, is named
Patti Henze and was the other student from my high school attending. (She and I were
named "Most Intellectual" of our East High School, Memphis, TN, Class of 1970
graduating class. In other words, the biggest geeks!)
November. We were in the VIP viewing stand, which is near the Vehicle Assembly
Building (VAB). The main thing I remember about the launch itself was the tremendous
crackling noise from the Saturn V booster after it got up into the air. This is also the
vehicle that was struck by lighting 36.5 seconds after liftoff. The on-board instruments
momentarily went off-line, which must have been quite scare for the astronauts. Of
course, none of us watching from the viewing stand knew about this. By the way, the
Commander of Apollo 12 was Pete Conrad, who I later had the opportunity to work
with at McDonnell Douglas on the early design of the International Space Station for
NASA.
In the photo at http://www.apollomissionphotos.com/nixon1.jpg, I'm pretty sure that's
me in the very bottom-left corner, looking away from the camera. (Not the taller one
blocking part of Nixon.) The girl next to me, with the long hair and glasses, is named
Patti Henze and was the other student from my high school attending. (She and I were
named "Most Intellectual" of our East High School, Memphis, TN, Class of 1970
graduating class. In other words, the biggest geeks!)
| Apollo 12 Crew Portrait Conrad, Gordon & Bean |
| ********** |
| ********* |
