What Apollo mission had computer malfunctions?

Answer 1

Apollo 11 had issues during lunar descent, with the computer being overloaded due to both rendezvous and landing radar being left on and providing data. The computer threw 1202 and 1201 alarms. Though this wasn't a malfunction.

Apollo 12 also experienced issues when the spacecraft was hit by lightening a few seconds after launch. The entire computer reset and they had to make an emergency adjustment to avoid an abort.

Apollo 13, of course, experienced a catastrophic failure. Though again, this was not based on a computer malfunction.

The other missions were mostly seamless. So it's hard to say exactly which mission had a malfunction of the computer.

Answer 2

The Apollo 12 mission, which was the sixth crewed mission in NASA's Apollo program and took place in November 1969, experienced a notable computer malfunction. During the launch, the spacecraft was struck by lightning twice, which caused a temporary loss of telemetry data and triggered a "SCE to AUX" (Signal Conditioning Equipment to Auxiliary) alarm. This alarmed the flight controllers and the crew.

Fortunately, the quick thinking of astronaut Alan Bean, who flipped a switch to put the Signal Conditioning Equipment in auxiliary mode as per the guidance from flight controller John Aaron, helped restore telemetry data. This allowed the mission to continue, and Apollo 12 successfully landed on the Moon, demonstrating the importance of teamwork and astronaut training in handling unexpected situations.