[Apollo 12] ALAN BEAN UNPACKING EQUIPMENT FROM THE LM INTREPID Pete Conrad, 14-24 November 1969,...

[Apollo 12] ALAN BEAN UNPACKING EQUIPMENT FROM THE LM INTREPID Pete Conrad, 14-24 November 1969, EVA 1 Printed 1969. Vintage chromogenic print on fibre-based Kodak paper [NASA image AS12-46-6783]. With 'A Kodak Paper' watermarks on the reverse, numbered 'NASA AS12-46-6783' in red in the top margin, originally laminated (issued by NASA Manned Spacecraft Centre, Houston, Texas). 20.3 x 25.4 cm. (8 x 10 in.) Historical context A hidden moment from Apollo 12. This rare photograph—unreleased after the mission—captures Alan Bean as he extracts the Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) package, the power source for the Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package (ALSEP), from the Intrepid's Scientific Equipment (SEQ) Bay. At his left hip, Bean wears a 'saddlebag' used to carry tools and samples. The astronauts had to carefully remove and deploy the ALSEP, which was packed into two sub-packages for compact storage. Pete Conrad's shadow, cast across the foreground, serves as a subtle presence in the scene. He had already retrieved the first ALSEP package. The pulleys and tapes used to manoeuvre the equipment are clearly visible. Footnotes: From the mission transcript at the moment the photograph was taken: 116:33:53 Bean: Lay her on the ground. Okay, I'll get mine (meaning the first ALSEP package) out. (Long Pause) Right out on the boom, just like advertised. 116:34:13 Conrad: Wait until I get this out of your way. 116:34:14 Bean: Okay. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing