Computer Apollo space program raises tens of thousands of euros

The interface of an Apollo Guidance Computer has fetched $65,189.60 at an auction in Boston this month. Converted that comes down to approximately 59,385 euros. The device was built into every Apollo lunar lander and command module by NASA.

Build a control computer that fits into an Apollo command module. That was exactly the assignment given to scientists at the American MIT Instrumentation Laboratory for the mission to the moon in the early 1960s. However, the researchers ran into a major problem. Back then, computers were immense, impossible to fit into a spacecraft.

Led by Charles Draper and Eldon Hall, the MIT scientists developed the Apollo Guidance Computer. They introduced the computer in August 1966 and the device was quite compact for the time at 61 by 32 and 17 centimeters. The Apollo Guidance Computer, or the AGC, was the first to use integrated circuits. There were two versions: the Block I and the more powerful Block II variant, which were for unmanned and manned missions respectively.

An important part for the AGC was the interface, also known as the dsky unit. Specifically, this was a keyboard consisting of nineteen keys and a screen. The interface allowed astronauts, including world famous astronaut Neil Armstrong, to enter commands to operate the spacecraft. The AGC had a 16-bit word length, including 15 data bits and 1 parity bit.

A Boston auction house sold an Apollo Guidance Computer interface this month. The device, which was also used for landing on the moon, eventually yielded tens of thousands of euros. It is not known who stole the interface.