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John Aaron’s (EECOM) next call made him a legend in Mission Control. He said quickly and confidently, “Flight, try S-C-E to Aux.”
Lighting strikes Apollo 12
The lightning bolt that struck Apollo 12 aloft also hit the crane and platform of the mobile launch pad
John Aaron, the environmental control engineer (EECOM) for Apollo 12 launch
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It was 68 degrees, overcast, and raining at Cape Kennedy on November 14, 1969. The ceiling was 2,100 feet and the winds were light. There was some discussion, while the astronauts were suiting-up, of scrubbing the launch, but that would mean ramping this whole thing down, draining every drop of fuel out of the Saturn, and sitting on their hands for a twenty-eight-day hold.
Pres. Nixon at the Apollo 12 launch
Crew on the way to the launch pad
Launch of Apollo 12
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The Saturn V’s control system was housed inside and also referred to as the Instrument Unit (IU). Marshall Space Flight Centers Astrionics Laboratory categorized the IU as the “brain” and “nerve center” of Saturn V.
Saturn V Instrument Unit
Instrument Unit assembly line, IBM Huntsville
Launch Vehicle Digital Computer
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John Young enjoyed the longest career of any astronaut thus far. Over the course of 42 years of active NASA service he made six space flights and is the only person to have piloted, and been commander of four different classes of spacecraft: Gemini, the Apollo Command/Service Module, the Apollo Lunar Module, and the Space Shuttle.
John Young training in the CM simulator
John Young looking at the flight plan
John Young suiting up
