Basement Apollo Guidance Computer

Technology

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In November of 2000, John Pultorak got to thinking about building a replica of a 60’s or 70’s era digital computer from scratch. By 2001, he started placing orders for technical documentation and had chosen his target machine, a Block I Apollo Guidance Computer.

Four years later, in September 2004, he had completed a fully functioning replica of the worlds first integrated circuit computer.

In the 1960’s, each Apollo moon mission had one AGC in the command module, and a second in the lunar module. These were used by astronauts to collect real-time flight information and control the spacecrafts’ navigation and guidance systems. Almost half a century later, John Pultorak has one in his basement, and thanks to his remarkable documentation and collection of reference materials, you can have one in your basement too!

Block I Apollo Guidance Computer (AGC):
How to build one in your basement

0 thoughts on “Basement Apollo Guidance Computer

  1. Fotios says:

    This isn’t Jordan’s first time being mentioned for “not winning, but still kicking ass” at Yahoo! Hackday. 2 years ago, WSJ mentioned one of his hacks (http://tinyurl.com/6r73nv)

    His blog (http://www.semicomplete.com) is always insightful and amusing. Keep it up!

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