The Apollo Guidance Computer: Architecture and Operation (Springer Praxis Books) - Softcover

O'Brien, Frank

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1441908765 ISBN 13: 9781441908766

Publisher: Praxis, 2010

Synopsis

The technological marvel that facilitated the Apollo missions to the Moon was the on-board computer. This is the first book to fully describe the Apollo guidance computer’s architecture, instruction format and programs used by the astronauts.

About this title

About the Author

Frank O’Brien’s interest in the Apollo program began as a serious amateur historian. About 12 years ago, he began performing research and writing essays for the Apollo Lunar Surface Journal, and the Apollo Flight Journal. Much of this work centered on his primary interests, the Apollo Guidance Computer (AGC) and the Lunar Module. These Journals are generally considered the canonical online reference on the flights to the Moon. He was then asked to assist the curatorial staff in the creation of the Cradle of Aviation Museum, on Long Island, New York, where he helped prepare the Lunar Module simulator, a LM procedure trainer and an Apollo space suit for display. He regularly lectures on the Apollo computer and related topics to diverse groups, from NASA's computer engineering conferences, the IEEE/ACM, computer festivals and university student groups.

From the Back Cover

By today's standards, the on-board computer used by the Apollo astronaut's was a primitive affair, but in an age when most computers filled an entire room, this was small, required little power, and incorporated several technologies that were revolutionary for its time. This is the first book to fully describe the Apollo guidance computer's architecture, Executive software, and the programs used by astronauts. It describes the full range of technologies required in order to fly the Apollo lunar missions, and whicn enabled the astronauts to fly to the Moon - and back!

Edition details

• Publisher: Praxis
• Publication date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1441908765
• ISBN 13: 9781441908766
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 458