Students of space history will remember that Apollo 12’s most memorable claim to fame was being struck by lightning during the launch phase. Yet the mission carried on was considered a success. Less successful was NASA’s trajectory of the S-IVB third stage. It was supposed to be sent into a distant solar orbit but because of an instrument error, it spun off on a 40-year odyssey that continues yet today. For a time, it was a mystery object that astronomers couldn’t identity until some strategic spectroscopy returned spectra for white titanium paint. Primal Space’s video explains the details.
Best Of The Web: The Strange Journey Of Apollo 12’s S-IVB Third Stage
Key Takeaways:
- Apollo 12's S-IVB third stage veered off its intended solar orbit due to an instrument error, embarking on a 40-year odyssey in space.
- The S-IVB stage became a mystery object that astronomers eventually identified through strategic spectroscopy, revealing spectra consistent with white titanium paint.
See a mistake? Contact us.
