Word: spacecraft
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Dates: during 1960-1969
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Despite the brief blackout, the spacecraft hurtled into a nearly perfect 118-mile-high earth orbit. By testing the spacecraft's navigational and guidance computers, the astronauts confirmed that the instruments had been left unscathed by the power surge. Halfway through the second revolution, after ground controllers were assured that Apollo was in perfect shape, Conrad fired the third stage S-4B rocket. The 51-minute burn increased the spacecraft's speed to 24,100 m.p.h., lifted it from orbit and sent it on its way to the moon. Said Conrad: "Everything is tickety...
There were also additional risks. Apollo 12, like Apollo 11 and 10, started its space voyage on a "free return" trajectory toward the moon. In the event of engine failure, such a path would allow the spacecraft to be whipped around the moon by lunar gravity and hurled back safely to the earth. Some 31 hours after liftoff, however, Apollo 12's situation was changed drastically. Conrad fired the 20,500-lb.-thrust service propulsion engine and sent his ship into a "hybrid" trajectory. The new flight path was necessary to set the astronauts down at their landing site...
Exquisite Precision. More than pride is involved in the accomplishment of a pinpoint landing. If Intrepid touches down too far from its target crater, Conrad and Bean may not have enough oxygen in their back-up life-support packs for the planned walk to the Surveyor spacecraft. An inaccurate landing would also affect plans for next spring's scheduled Apollo 13 visit to a highlands area near Crater Fra Mauro. Before as tronauts risk landing in such a rugged area, NASA officials must be convinced that a lunar module can be set down on a selected segment...
...hours after Wednesday's early-morning touchdown, Conrad will swing open Intrepid's small hatch. Backing out on his hands and knees, he will tug a small ring to open an equipment bay on the LM and expose a 12-lb. color-TV camera aimed at the spacecraft ladder. While a TV audience of millions watches. Conrad will descend to become the third mortal to step onto another world...
Appeal to Moscow. A vital element in advanced technology, nickel provides the strength and heat resistance needed for alloys used in jet engines and nuclear reactors. The noncorroding quality that it gives to stainless steel also makes nickel indispensable in spacecraft and SST airliners. The non-Communist world uses 830 million pounds of nickel yearly, and the total has been growing by 10% a year...