What Does "Set SCE To AUX" Mean Anyway - Apollo 12's Lightning Strike Explained

[Winston]

It's just incredible to me that the insanely complex and technologically ground-breaking Apollo program was successfully carried out in such limited time. That complexity is only hinted at in this video:

What Does "Set SCE To AUX" Mean Anyway - Apollo 12's Lightning Strike Explained



Command/Service Module Reference:

https://www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/CSM_News_Reference_H_Missions.pdf (41MB)

Just the Command Module:

https://www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/CSM06_Command_Module_Overview_pp39-52.pdf (4MB)

Command Module cutaway:

https://www.flightglobal.com/assets/getAsset.aspx?ItemID=29966

 

[Steve Shannon]

And without a single instance of twist and tuck rather than a switch. [emoji23]

 

[jimzcatz]

Signal Conditioning Equipment to Auxiliary.

 

[georgegassaway]

This "SCE to Aux" light switch cover is for sale.
https://www.zazzle.com/apollo_12_sce_to_aux_light_switch_cover-256970907397966625

Clip from a documentary:


Funny/macabre thing is, Mission Control had no idea if the lightning strike might have ruined the parachute deployment system. Shortly after Apollo 12 got into Earth orbit, they discussed not going to the moon, and having the crew return to Earth. But they quickly realized the crew would be dead either way (no way to fix it or do a rescue mission with a second Apollo), so might as well do the lunar landing.