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Lot 312
[Apollo 12] FIRST HUMAN-ROBOT REUNION ON ANOTHER WORLD: Pete Conrad examines Surveyor III on the Ocean of Storms Alan Bean, 14-24 November 1969, EVA 2
14 – 28 April 2025, 12:00 CEST
Paris, Avenue HocheSold for €409.60 inc. premium
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[Apollo 12] FIRST HUMAN-ROBOT REUNION ON ANOTHER WORLD: Pete Conrad examines Surveyor III on the Ocean of Storms
Alan Bean, 14-24 November 1969, EVA 2
Printed 1969.
Vintage gelatin silver print on fibre-based paper [NASA image AS12-48-7134].
With NASA caption numbered "69-H-1988" on the reverse (issued by NASA Headquarters, Washington,D.C.).
20.3 x 25.4 cm. (8 x 10 in.)
Historical context
Human Meets Machine—A Historic First on Another World.
This symbolic photograph of the Apollo 12 mission marks the first time in history that a human stood next to a robotic spacecraft on the surface of another world. Alan Bean captured this carefully composed image (see mission transcript) of Pete Conrad alongside Surveyor III, with their Lunar Module Intrepid visible in the background—documenting the first evidence, in one location, of human and robotic exploration on a celestial body.
The Surveyor III spacecraft had landed inside Surveyor Crater in the Ocean of Storms more than two years before the Apollo 12 astronauts arrived. After Conrad suggested taking some "tourist" photos in front of Surveyor III, Bean photographed Conrad "jiggling" the spacecraft to check if it was still firmly planted.
In the background, about 183 meters (600 feet) away, stand the LM Intrepid, the S-band antenna, and the American flag—a striking visual representation of Apollo 12's precise landing achievement.
Printed 1969.
Vintage gelatin silver print on fibre-based paper [NASA image AS12-48-7134].
With NASA caption numbered "69-H-1988" on the reverse (issued by NASA Headquarters, Washington,D.C.).
20.3 x 25.4 cm. (8 x 10 in.)
Historical context
Human Meets Machine—A Historic First on Another World.
This symbolic photograph of the Apollo 12 mission marks the first time in history that a human stood next to a robotic spacecraft on the surface of another world. Alan Bean captured this carefully composed image (see mission transcript) of Pete Conrad alongside Surveyor III, with their Lunar Module Intrepid visible in the background—documenting the first evidence, in one location, of human and robotic exploration on a celestial body.
The Surveyor III spacecraft had landed inside Surveyor Crater in the Ocean of Storms more than two years before the Apollo 12 astronauts arrived. After Conrad suggested taking some "tourist" photos in front of Surveyor III, Bean photographed Conrad "jiggling" the spacecraft to check if it was still firmly planted.
In the background, about 183 meters (600 feet) away, stand the LM Intrepid, the S-band antenna, and the American flag—a striking visual representation of Apollo 12's precise landing achievement.
Footnotes
Richard Gordon on the significance of this moment:
"This image is symbolic of our mission. Our objective was to perform a pinpoint landing at the Surveyor III target site at the rim of Surveyor Crater. This precision landing was of great significance to the future exploration program because landing points in rough terrain of great scientific interest could then be targeted."
— Richard Gordon (Jacobs, p. 77)
From the mission transcript (photograph taken at T+134:16:54 after launch):
134:15:59 Bean: You don't get a chance like this every day. Shoot up the extras; we've
got lots of film.
134:16:03 Conrad: Yep. Here you go.
134:16:06 Bean: Okay. (Pause)
134:16:10 Conrad: Why don't you get yourself in the photo, too?
134:16:14 Bean: Okay. Just a second. (Pause) Back up just a little, Pete. Try for 15 feet.
(Pause) Okay. That ought to be good. How's that look to you?
134:16:39 Conrad: Good. Come in just a foot.
134:16:43 Bean: (Chuckling) You got a calibrated eye, huh? (Pause)
134:16:48 Conrad: Trouble with that camera is, if it's not right on the money, it's out
of focus.
134:16:52 Bean: Okay.
134:16:54 Conrad: Okay, Houston. I'm jiggling it. The Surveyor is firmly planted here;
that's no problem.
Literature
LIFE, 12 December 1969, p. 37
TIME, 5 December 1969, p. 41
Schick and Van Haaften, p. 102; Chaikin, Space, p. 105
Thomas, p. 259; Jacobs, p. 76
Watch more
CLICK HERE: NASA APOLLO 12 MISSION REPORT MOON PROGRAM PROJECT APOLLO 45254