The AGC: A Look Back at the Computer That Took Humanity to the Moon
summary
A technical history of the Apollo Guidance Computer (AGC), describing its hardware (2 MHz CPU, 15‑bit word size, ~2,048 words of RAM, 72 KB core‑rope ROM, 32 kg, 55 W, 61×32×17 cm) and its software architecture. Covers the cooperative multiprogramming executor, cycle‑stealing by CDUs (about 15% parasitic stealing observed on Apollo 11 causing five program alarms), and the fault‑tolerance measures used (software restart and the PH‑table major‑mode workaround used on Apollo 14).
AI-written summary · about
chapters (9)
- 0:00AGC introduction
- 2:28Moon race context
- 9:55AGC features and roles
- 17:21AGC hardware architecture
- 21:39Embedded system and software
- 28:59User interface and interaction
- 34:53Mission incidents
- 40:31Apollo’s technological legacy
- 44:45Resources and conclusion
related talks
47mThe AGC: Looking Back at the Computer That Took Humanity to the Moon
45mSoftware archaeology - Learning from the landing on the moon!
52mSoftware archaeology - Learning from the landing on the moon!
50mSoftware archaeology - Learning from the landing on the moon!
49mThe Charming Genius of the Apollo Guidance Computer
55mTo the Moon
49mHARDWARE in SPACE! The Kernel at the Edge of the Universe
50mComputer History RetroSpective: From Space Race to genAI with Live Demos