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The Apollo Guidance Computer - by Frank O'Brien (Paperback)

The Apollo Guidance Computer - by  Frank O'Brien (Paperback) - 1 of 1
$32.49 sale price when purchased online
$54.99 list price
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About this item

Highlights

  • The technological marvel that facilitated the Apollo missions to the Moon was the on-board computer.
  • About the Author: Frank O'Brien's interest in the Apollo program began as a serious amateur historian.
  • 440 Pages
  • Computers + Internet, History

Description



About the Book



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.



Book Synopsis



The technological marvel that facilitated the Apollo missions to the Moon was the on-board computer. In the 1960s most computers filled an entire room, but the spacecraft's computer was required to be compact and low power. Although people today find it difficult to accept that it was possible to control a spacecraft using such a 'primitive' computer, it nevertheless had capabilities that are advanced even by today's standards.

This is the first book to fully describe the Apollo guidance computer's architecture, instruction format and programs used by the astronauts. As a comprehensive account, it will span the disciplines of computer science, electrical and aerospace engineering. However, it will also be accessible to the 'space enthusiast'. In short, the intention is for this to be the definitive account of the Apollo guidance computer.

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!



Review Quotes




From the reviews:

"This exceedingly valuable work will give present day Computer Science students the background to understand how the dramatic breakthroughs in Logical Design, Computer Architecture, Computer Language Interpreters and Real-Time Executive Software was invented, and how it worked in practice. ... This excellent reference will form a model for teaching and learning historical Computer Architectures and Software so that future Computer Scientists can understand and learn the original ideas that today guide their field." (Ira Laefsky, Amazon, September, 2010)



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.

Dimensions (Overall): 9.58 Inches (H) x 6.62 Inches (W) x .98 Inches (D)
Weight: 1.71 Pounds
Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
Number of Pages: 440
Genre: Computers + Internet
Sub-Genre: History
Publisher: Praxis Publications Inc
Format: Paperback
Author: Frank O'Brien
Language: English
Street Date: July 12, 2010
TCIN: 82930381
UPC: 9781441908766
Item Number (DPCI): 247-05-2209
Origin: Made in the USA or Imported
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Shipping details

Estimated ship dimensions: 0.98 inches length x 6.62 inches width x 9.58 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 1.71 pounds
We regret that this item cannot be shipped to PO Boxes.
This item cannot be shipped to the following locations: American Samoa (see also separate entry under AS), Guam (see also separate entry under GU), Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico (see also separate entry under PR), United States Minor Outlying Islands, Virgin Islands, U.S., APO/FPO

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