# Apollo 12 Command and Service Module

> Command and Service Module used during Apollo 12

**Wikidata**: [Q28101414](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q28101414)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/apollo-12-command-and-service-module

## Summary
The Apollo 12 Command and Service Module (CSM-108) was the spacecraft used during NASA's Apollo 12 mission in 1969, which successfully landed astronauts Charles "Pete" Conrad and Alan Bean on the Moon while Richard Gordon orbited in the Lunar Module. The CSM, nicknamed "Yankee Clipper," supported the mission's launch, lunar orbit, and safe return to Earth.

## Key Facts
- **Part of Apollo 12**: The CSM-108 was the primary spacecraft for NASA's second crewed lunar landing mission.
- **Launch Date**: November 14, 1969, at 16:22:00 UTC from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Launched aboard Saturn V rocket (SA-507).
- **Landing Date**: November 24, 1969, at 20:58:24 UTC in the Pacific Ocean.
- **Recovery**: Recovered by the USS Hornet after splashdown.
- **Call Sign**: "Yankee Clipper," assigned to the CSM during the mission.
- **Operator**: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
- **Country of Origin**: United States.
- **COSPAR ID**: 1969-099A.
- **NSSDCA ID**: 1969-099A.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the Apollo 12 Command and Service Module's role in the mission?
A: The CSM-108 served as the primary spacecraft for Apollo 12, providing life support, propulsion, and communication during the lunar landing and return to Earth.

### Q: How was the Apollo 12 CSM recovered after the mission?
A: The CSM was recovered by the USS Hornet after splashing down in the Pacific Ocean on November 24, 1969.

### Q: What was the call sign of the Apollo 12 Command Module?
A: The CSM was nicknamed "Yankee Clipper" during the mission.

### Q: Which rocket launched the Apollo 12 CSM?
A: The CSM was launched aboard the Saturn V rocket (SA-507) from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A.

### Q: What were the key dates for the Apollo 12 mission involving the CSM?
A: The CSM launched on November 14, 1969, and splashed down on November 24, 1969.

## Why It Matters
The Apollo 12 Command and Service Module was a critical component of NASA's second successful crewed lunar landing mission. It supported the safe journey of astronauts Charles Conrad and Alan Bean to the Moon's Ocean of Storms, where they conducted experiments and collected lunar samples. The CSM also facilitated the return of the astronauts to Earth, demonstrating NASA's ability to execute complex space missions. The mission's success reinforced the reliability of the Apollo spacecraft and contributed to the broader goal of human exploration of the Moon. The CSM's recovery and analysis provided valuable data for future missions, including the Apollo 13 contingency mission.

## Notable For
- **Second Crewed Lunar Landing**: The CSM-108 was part of the first mission to achieve a precise lunar landing near the Surveyor 3 probe.
- **Precise Landing**: Apollo 12's landing site was chosen to demonstrate pinpoint accuracy, a key objective for future missions.
- **Lunar Surface Experiments**: The mission included deploying the Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package (ALSEP).
- **Safe Return**: The CSM ensured the safe return of the astronauts despite a near-abort during the lunar landing.
- **Historical Significance**: The mission's success helped pave the way for the Apollo 13 mission and future lunar exploration.

## Body
### Mission Overview
The Apollo 12 mission, launched on November 14, 1969, was the second crewed lunar landing mission. The CSM-108, also known as CM-108, served as the primary spacecraft for the mission, supporting the launch, lunar orbit, and return to Earth.

### Launch and Recovery
- **Launch**: The CSM was launched aboard the Saturn V rocket (SA-507) from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A at 16:22:00 UTC.
- **Recovery**: After the mission, the CSM splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on November 24, 1969, at 20:58:24 UTC, and was recovered by the USS Hornet.

### Call Sign and Identification
- The CSM was nicknamed "Yankee Clipper" during the mission, a call sign assigned to the Command Module.
- The spacecraft was identified by the COSPAR ID 1969-099A and NSSDCA ID 1969-099A.

### Technical Specifications
- The CSM-108 was part of the Apollo Command and Service Module class, designed for crewed lunar missions.
- It included the Command Module (CM) and Service Module (SM), providing life support, propulsion, and electrical power.

### Mission Achievements
- **Lunar Landing**: The CSM supported the landing of astronauts Charles Conrad and Alan Bean near the Surveyor 3 probe.
- **Lunar Surface Experiments**: The mission deployed the ALSEP to study the Moon's environment.
- **Safe Return**: The CSM ensured the safe return of the astronauts despite a near-abort during the lunar landing.

### Historical Context
- The Apollo 12 mission was a critical step in NASA's lunar exploration program, demonstrating the reliability of the Apollo spacecraft.
- The mission's success contributed to the broader goal of human exploration of the Moon and inspired future space missions.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1969-099A)
3. [Source](https://history.nasa.gov/SP-4029/Apollo_18-17_Call_Signs.htm)