Pete Conrad

Alan Bean preparing to carry the scientific equipments to their deployment site

Apollo 12, November 14-24, 1969, EVA 1, 116:50:54 GET

Vintage photograph with “A Kodak Paper” watermarks on the verso and a stamp with identifying number “18814”.
20.3 x 25.4cm (8 x 10in)

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Lot Essay

The photograph shows Alan Bean as he has just attached the RTG (Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator) package to the carry-bar which would later serve as the Central Station antenna mast.

“I must have taken this picture just about the time Alan Bean hooked up the RTG. He has got his hand over the side and that’s when he is talking about the heat, because his hand is right next to the radiator,” commented Pete Conrad later (from the ALSJ mission transcript at 116:50:59 GET).

116:50:54 Bean: Hey, feel the heat off that machine (the RTG). That’s amazing.
116:50:59 Conrad: 1400 degrees (Fahrenheit or about 760 Celsius). (In a conspiratorial tone) Almost as hot as the Sun! (Chuckles)