Apollo Guidance Computer Part 1: Restoring the computer that put man on the Moon

[@ZeeZeeBun]

That seems... Shockingly compact for something from that era.. I'm impressed.

[@thefoxsaysmeow]

"The astronaut is only the most visible member of a very large team, and all of us, right down to the guys sweeping the floor are honored to be a part of it. What did the man say? "Give me a lever long enough and I'll move the world." Well that's exactly what we're doing here. This is divine inspiration, folks. It's the best part of each one of us that anything is possible. Things like a computer that can fit into a single room and hold millions of pieces of information, or the Saturn V rocket." Sure, some cinematic exaggeration there, but still 100% on point.

[@keagandylan5237]

i dont mean to be off topic but does someone know a tool to get back into an Instagram account? I was dumb lost my password. I would appreciate any tips you can offer me

[@keagandylan5237]

@Kane Carlos i really appreciate your reply. I found the site thru google and I'm trying it out atm. Looks like it's gonna take quite some time so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@keagandylan5237]

@Kane Carlos it did the trick and I now got access to my account again. Im so happy:D Thanks so much, you really help me out :D

[@kanecarlos6567]

@Keagan Dylan Happy to help :)

[@zzz13zzz17]

Guys, you are in heaven. You touch the miracle. Best wishes from 46 years old russian nerd.

[@christophschmeler2744]

As an electrical engineering student I absolutely love hardware like this, a huge thank You to all of You!

[@melbar]

An electrical engineer now, hopefully...

[@ohowihateohiostate1384]

The AGC restoration playlist popped up on my feed today. I followed those videos in real-time, and now have a hard time believing that you and the boys started this 4 years ago! Incredible work. I love rewatching these when time permits. Geniuses all.

[@MarkAMMarrk]

While we have advanced technologically, I believe the Apollo program is still the absolute pinnacle of man's ingenuity, dedication and ability to engineer and in so many different fields at the same time. America, and mankind, will never again see so much innovation so quickly.

[@tonerotonero1375]

How cool it is that people preserve such relics. This is a piece of history. Bringing it back to life, i am speechless. Great job. The quality of the components you have in hand is simply amazing. Good luck on this project. Regards from France.

[@NeighborhoodCarReviews]

My head is overloaded with all this. I can't even begin to describe how awesome this is. The Manned Spaceflight Programs of the late 50's through the 70's (Mercury/Gemini/Apollo) are among my passions.

[@rbergen]

And there they are, sitting in a hotel room, working on a device that marked a pivotal moment in computing history, which enabled a pivotal moment in the history of mankind... as if it is just any other restoration project. This is the absolute *apex* of nerdy coolness. I'm so glad I found this channel some time ago. Best of luck, guys, and I can't wait to see the progress in future videos!

[@danielmarshall4587]

Oh ....bloody hell yes this is one vid of a series .

[@cvetomircvetkov5670]

Respect, though I have the feeling that the reason to restaure it is making a lot of money. The Mr. Owner called these nerds to make it operational and cash in for his retirement.

[@rbergen]

@@cvetomircvetkov5670 To be honest, I think anyone who owns or can acquire an AGC in any state has enough resources to retire already. And of course, whatever the owner's motivations were, it doesn't take anything away from what these gentlemen have been able to achieve.

[@cactusjackNV]

I agree with everything except for the nerdy coolness. Not everything has to be nerdy.

[@rbergen]

@@cactusjackNV Maybe it makes a difference that at this side of the Atlantic, "nerdy" is more of a classification (highly technical, requiring specific knowledge and skills most people don't have) than an insult. I certainly meant it in the former way.

[@perplexedmoth]

A bunch of old guys going into a small hotel room with plastic gloves at night, and a young guy with them. If asked your business, replying with "we're restoring the computer that put man on the moon" would sound quite odd.

[@thefoxsaysmeow]

The truth is sometimes so much stranger than fiction...

[@CryinInDaaClub]

When Marc first went into the room it looked like some shady back room operation lol

[@gregster4994]

It's astonishing to see how far computer technology was come in the last 50 years. I remember my mother making Christmas wreaths out of keypunch cards.

[@TinyMaths]

For some reason Part 12 has been popping up in my suggestions for the past couple of days, so after watching the beginning of that, I decided to come back in order to watch the whole series. We are truly spoiled nowadays. When I was a kid in the early 80's, tinkering around with my dad's old radio's and Hi Fi equipment (being completely unaware of what I was doing, but just ignorantly curious) the only available inspiration was the 'How Things Work' programs infrequently shown on UK TV, which I enjoyed watching. And now this! It's like Christmas whenever you want it to be.

[@TheAlchemisification]

Just spent today watching the series. Seriously fantastic stuff. Loved all of it. My hat goes off to those who put this together in the 60's and you guys who took on its resurrection. Grats to all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Ryges]

Man, that’s awesome. I’ve only ever read about this iconic computer, but to have the chance to touch and hold it is freaking wild. Working on restoring it is just such a mind blowing thought. I envy you and wish the best for you and your team mates.

[@davidca96]

I love people like this, who are willing to put a lot of time and effort into keeping a huge part of history alive.

[@jeremiefaucher-goulet3365]

The AGC? This is a dream come true this video! Been secretly hoping/wishing for such a video series, but never believed it could actually happen! YES!!!! Very much looking forward to this one!

[@tommee10533]

As far as i'm concerened these are the holy grail of computers, to touch one is a dream, let alone servicing one,,, WOW you must be so honored.

[@jamesaleman]

What did you do last weekend, I played D&D with some pals, what did you do?....Met in a hotel to rebuild NASA's Apollo space program flight computers....You win!

[@johnchristopherrobert1839]

Geeking out on the content. My parents worked at the Michoud facility on the Saturn five rocket booster. My mother worked in document control and my father was electronics technician working on the sensors throughout the first stage booster. Not the same electronics as in this video but still really cool.

[@chrfit1]

You guys are the coolest! What great adventures in technology you have. I love watching episodes involving the super team of IT workshops. The AGC, such an advanced machine, the design is so efficient.

[@mattaylor5817]

This is easily my favourite KZbin series of all time. Thanks so much to you and the team. Very watchable and fascinating. I learnt a huge amount.

[@mikek5633]

What an incredible opportunity to be able to work on such a piece of history. Excellent work all of you !!!!!!!!!

[@LastV8Interceptors]

Among the most momentous youtube videos\series of videos ever made. And what a lovable cast!

[@MiloLabradoodle]

I’m so deeply grateful for Mike, Carl, Ken, and Marc who contributed some funds and especially their tech restoration expertise and time to restore this critical piece of US history. Thanks Samtec for sponsoring the project.

[@andrewrixon2347]

Wow !! You get some of the nicest toys to play with !! I’d love to just sit quietly in the corner and watch you guys at work.

[@VykurbabehrabeMP]

Oh, I really enjoyed the Alto restoration, the teletype series was even better and I was thinking you will never top that. But here we are, restoring AGC. You guys are the best!

[@bitteroldskunk]

Its amazing to see how far we have come in the forms of technology. Great job guys keeping a fraction of history alive!

[@muzzdeni28]

I am imagining an Indiana Jones scene where he switch's out the AGC for a fake one and take's the real one home for a proper HD teardown.

[@muzzdeni28]

Also screw Fallout 76, I'm watching this.

[@matt4193]

@@muzzdeni28 In the end you made the right choice

[@kyleb209]

I was thinking the same thing. You beat me to it.

[@scipanda4969]

This channel just keeps getting better and better. Great stuff. Can't wait to see this work again. It's like the A Team for awesome vintage computers.

[@Maxxarcade]

Man, I would have loved going to school if I had people like you in my class. Everybody in my school only cared about sports, and shunned people who were into tech stuff. Then when I was in college/tech school for electronics, everyone just wanted to drink and party. I think I was the only one that was tinkering with stuff outside of school hours. This will definitely be a fun project. If anyone can get it running, it's you guys!

[@krnlg]

If this kind of thing was ever involved in my school I would be an electronics engineer right now, no question!

[@abundantYOUniverse]

Yeah and then us geeks took over the world! Takes bow.

[@gavincurtis]

Why weren't you my roomate in college.?. same here.

[@forbiddenera]

I can't believe one of the most important computers in history ends up in a hotel room getting restored. Crazy.

[@LightTheUnicorn]

An absolutely amazing thing for you guys to be working on, this is just too cool. Definitely looking forward to more of this restoration series!

[@dwaynetube]

You guys are kinda like the X-Men of electronics. I am always stunned by awe when watching your videos.

[@seanfyodorovich5230]

This promises to be the greatest ever video series on youtube!

[@tachelesreden]

Thank you guys sooo much to letting us part of this experience! Best regards from Germany.

[@StephenMattison66]

17:34 SO EPIC!!! *"We expect no less from you Carl. Exactly."* So freaking Epic, go Carl!! Mass respect! My dad was a brilliant EE (1953, Purdue) so I love these mind-bending people! Can't wait to watch this entire series!

[@danielmarshall4587]

"your repair was to shake it" AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME. LOVE THIS. This is what I'll be watching today.

[@joer5518]

Are you $#@!ing kidding me? This is epic nerdery, and I'm in heaven.

[@Pete133]

The fact that they are testing almost every logic gate one at a time is insane...

[@SqualidsargeStudios]

You are allowed to say shitting. It's amazing indeed

[@awoken4328]

+

[@ashkat64]

OMFG... That's a real AGC? Daaaanggg! They definitely chose the right person for the job though, good luck! Definitely following this series again ;)

[@UpcycleElectronics]

I'm here. I subscribed. I blame Scott Manley. Thanks :-) -Jake

[@MichiganPeatMoss]

LITERAL hardwiring, the original ROM. Fantastic!

[@amrkoptan4041]

I like the fact that you are keen to record the details, you are not doing this just for documenting, you are doing it for your viewers as well, that's a lot of respect to people whom aren't aware of the technology or don't follow up what's going on. please keep your videos going we love it!

[@fabiolutzbr]

Man, this is sooo cool!! I was standing under a LM in the apollo museum at KSC/Florida just a couple of months ago!!! I love the Apollo program, so, for me, this is one of your best videos you made so far!!

[@Z4NL]

This is awesome! I remember Francois Rautenbach documenting his work on some core rope modules that have actually flown. These were also from some private owner.. Please keep us posted on this project

[@CuriousMarc]

Yes, same owner. That Block I rope module also belongs to Jimmie.

[@neutrinoberilio3566]

wow that's what I call the vocation of being a thoroughbred technologist. I congratulate you for the tasks of making the cpu of that time work 🤓👍

[@dezmobluefire8217]

Someone working on the cutting edge of 1960s space flight computer technology, and the latest in computer systems for Spacex. To all of you fixing this system, I wish you the best of luck

[@jwingo7257]

Master Ken is an amazingly humble guy…a genius, absolutely!

[@kezzler9556]

Fascinating stuff. Old tech is still complicated :)

[@organiccold]

Massive amount of work there, to test all those gates. Amazing

[@vstol]

"Manufacturing defect in the chip", just shake it! This beats switching the unit off and then back on. : )

[@larryh8072]

The mere mention of Eldon Hall and Don Isles makes me all tingly. You guys are playing with stuff I can only dream about. This will be absolutely the best thing I likely will ever watch on KZbin. I can't stop watching this video!

[@kbabioch]

Just crazy to see your dedication. I'm able to follow along, but man, doing and figuring all of this out is just mind blowing.

[@Jimfoxyboy]

Wow, lucky you and your team get to work on an AGC. Nice to see a bit of historical development hardware getting a bit attention as well. A chance to let people learn about it, along side the hardware that got to actually fly. Kudos on Mr. Loocke for rescuing things before it was all lost. A while back, I came across the website that talked about building your own AGC, with materials from John Pultorak. Ever since, I've been interested in the computer hardware flown on Gemini, Apollo, and a little on the Shuttle. Even got to play a bit with the Virtual AGC that you mentioned, as well as the Moonjs Online AGC Simulator. I wish the team all the best in getting it running again. Hopefully we will find it has survived the test of time with little harm.

[@johnrickard8512]

Being that this computer was made by NASA I wouldn't be surprised if there aren't that many faults. Keep in mind that these are the people who around the same time sent a couple of probes out into deep space that have kept running without issue for the most part(Voyager 2 had an issue with its radio early on but workarounds were put in place) to this day. It's a shame that before too long they'll run out of juice.

[@disruptive_innovator]

Scott sent me. Amazing work! Thank you to everyone involved! And thank you for sharing the vids too! Super fascinating!

[@ObligedTester]

This is just fantastic! Great job. And we are very lucky to be able to follow along!

[@SternLX]

You know what I just realized, there's at least one more surviving original AGC out there. It's still flying on Snoopy!!

[@miroslavstevic2036]

I was very pleased to watch all of the "episodes". What amazed me the most was the speed Mike came up with PNP workaround for transformer short. He is a real genius yet very modest and down to earth guy. Also your persistence in doing something mostly for fun (I think) is of colossal proportions. Just looking at the 6" thick assembly listing makes most people like me desperate.

[@LastV8Interceptors]

Mike is incredible! Just incredible. I have gushed to my friends about him and they look at me with something like pity. Dont care, will gush again! 10/10

[@Damien.D]

"Faulty flight computer? shake it 'till it works" - Bill Kerman. It seems that shaking things is a regular method for fixing space hardware. Worked a treat with Hubble.

[@boonedockjourneyman7979]

Inspirational effort. Exactly what this nation needs right now.

[@bruce92106]

This kind of video is what the young kids that are interested (even those that aren't than maybe they will be) need to see so they can understand more of how Apollo was so far ahead of it's time technology wise [and] 'directly' responsible for the envelopment over time of all the high tech gadgetry and things and pleasures we enjoy ( and take for granted) today like Smartphones.

[@tracyscott3261]

If you need a place to work on it I would let you work on it in my place. OH PLEASE... Sorry. I geeked out there. I agree that is a holy grail computer. Thank you for posting this. Fun to watch.

[@tdunion]

Bonjour, je viens juste de découvrir cette passionnante série de vidéos sur la restauration de cette machine mythique. Bravo pour ce travail ainsi que nous le faire partager !

[@dukenukem6137]

People like these guys "NERDS" are the unsung heroes, they are the people who really make the World go Round And the Moon... 🌙 🤗

[@damianson]

Your telling me..NASA among the whole complex and buildings couldnt give you guys a room to do this work? good lord.

[@mx0r]

What a beautiful project! I was thinking what will be next, when you've finished the teletype. Never would have thought, but more so amazing! I just hope the hotel manager is aware of your little project on the premises otherwise, you know, USA and lots of cables and gloves in the room... :-) Good luck, looking forward to this!

[@pjneslo8979]

This is absolutely amazing work, good luck with everything !

[@Earthwatcher57]

Great stuff. I can't be bothered reading through all the comments but wouldn't it be marvellous if just one, just one video relating to the Apollo moon programme, was devoid of any nonsense suggesting it didn't happen? Keep it alive guys, preserve the memory of possibly the greatest human achievement in history.

[@JackPaschke]

Thanks you SO MUCH for sharing this with us! What a piece of history. Best of luck to you all!

[@rkan2]

I wonder how long it will take to fly the whole missions again in small scale lol :D

[@lordofthecats6397]

@@rkan2 They will need to built a micro-scal e test moon first...

[@rkan2]

LordOfTheCats Well simulating the I/O these days is quite a bit more easier.. Probably possible with a couple arduinos

[@carlclaunch793]

@@rkan2 Must calculate orbital mechanics, dynamics of the movement of the spacecraft, aerodynamics for reentry, simulate gyro and accelerometer inputs, model RCS jet action on the spacecraft . . . we may need a bigger Arduino

[@swebigmac100]

This is CRAZY amazing... can't wait for the next episode.

[@brotsteinkante6993]

I have been waiting for someone doing this, thanks! :D

[@hypothebai4634]

We used to machines with many trays of 'DIP' stick - about 80 per tray. The trays where mounted in 19" racks. They were a nightmare. The problem was that the sticks had screws either end used to insert them into the holders - but they would flex slightly so that good connections where made at either end but not in the middle.

[@CuriousMarc]

Ken is rediscovering this right now and confirming that you are 100% right on the dipstik nightmares.

[@sammg9496]

Hey! My 85+ year old father worked on these guidance systems. Slide rule and punch cards. He still works part time on newer guidance systems.

[@5speedfatty]

Yes! this is exciting to see. i cant wait for the next one. i mean you look at it and think its jsut a 60s computer but that hardware did things we havent been able to match in the decades since. thats some impressive hardware no matter how you look at it

[@5speedfatty]

​@@JohnBrowser2013 wasnt faking it but OK... and yea ill grant you the computers where not nearly as good as other parts of the craft, but im a fuggin computer nerd, not a rocket nerd... i mean rockets are cool but im more into the fact that with only really basic logic we did it. 1 type of gate thats it. rope memory. we went to the moon on hardware a TI-84 can out do, thats what excites me

[@seanfarrell5602]

Absolutely amazing, can't wait for Part 9

[@alancordwell9759]

What an opportunity for you Marc! I can't wait for the next instalment!

[@Chriva]

Thank you for assembling a playlist, Marc :)

[@JonathanWJ]

Amazing project! You guys are real experts.

[@MiloLabradoodle]

Just found this. Love the video series. Thanks so much for filming all of this.

[@0fend0]

This is so exciting! I wish I too could fly in Marc, Carl and Ken whenever I had hardware issues! 😂

[@AlainHubert]

Wow ! What an awesome project ! And I see that you use a Rigol DS1054Z Osmelloscope as one of the tools ? That's cool. I have this same model (slightly modded). Can't wait to follow the progress of this...

Bonjour Marc, And I thought the Model-19 restoration was cool...As a KZbinr, you've hit the bull's eye with the AGC! This has to be the pinnacle of electronics restoration. Congrats. I can't wait for the next episode!

[@lrochfort]

Fascinating. It would be great to hear more from Carl, he seems to knowledgeable and capable

[@CuriousMarc]

Carl's own blog is there: rescue1130.blogspot.com/ .

[@johnchristopherrobert1839]

For those you don’t understand the term “potted”. This is when electronics are encased in two part epoxy resin to either protect the electronic module or to protect the proprietary design of the module from being reversed engineered.

[@timg2727]

This is seriously cool.

[@Tedd755]

Looks like you guys are turning into the A-Team for old technology restoration. You need a painted van, nicknames and personal trademarks!

[@carlclaunch793]

We were thinking of a pair of semi trucks, with a fully equipped lab and sleeping quarters - drive around to restore old computers on site

[@carlclaunch793]

Glitchbusters?

[@MikeBramm]

Very cool project. I look forward to seeing the outcome.

[@dammonbutler6951]

Oh my god that is amazing :) it must be incredible to be working on something so historic!. It's a shame that Fran of FranLab hasn't finished her DSKY display replica because it would be awesome to see a collab and have it run by a _real_ AGC once your restoration is complete!

[@gavincurtis]

That would concentrate an entire year of Fran's joy into one single moment.

[@util2]

After the restoring... "Good morning Dr. Chandra. This is HAL. I'm ready for my first test"

[@ThomasTalbotMD]

This is an amazing opportunity. I've read Eldon Hall's book many times - it's so much fun. The AGC had an interesting life after Apollo in space, aviation and under the sea.

[@scionga]

Thank you so much please make the videos as long as you can

[@sblack48]

Nerdgasm. And there are twits who say it was all fake .... this stuff is all there and it all works. Thank you for bringing it back to life.

[@johnsmith7676]

And there are those who say that there are foolish dupes who believe it all was true. I've no particular opinion on it at this time. But there is definitely some reasonably compelling evidence to support their thesis. And, let's face it, governments and politicians (and those whom own them) certainly have a very long history of commonly engaging in elaborate forms of sophistry and subterfuge. Indeed, they certainly excel at this. So, for us to simply dismiss these things all, out of hand, as nonsense or "conspiracy theory" is probably not wise. We all have been lied to so incessantly and for so very long that I believe it to be quite healthy to question what we have been led to believe. Also worth noting is that when people are lied to all the time, they tend to become accustomed to it and actually prefer it to the truth, versus having to swallow their pride and admit to themselves that they were duped. This is known as cognitive dissonance. Perhaps this is also what is meant by the old adage, "First comes pride, then the fall." I don't know. You decide. Just be very cautious. People can be programmed just as computers can. The methodologies are different, but the results are hauntingly similar.

[@douro20]

This is quite a coincidence since I've been listening to the mission audio from Apollo 13 recently. Francois Rauterbach in South Africa owns one of the Block 2 production prototypes which was used for software development as well as a stack of rope modules from flight AS-202 which were found on the scrap heap. He designed a module for reading the rope modules using a Red Pitaya and a stack of relays.

[@CuriousMarc]

The Block 1 rope module that Francois read actually was lent to him by Jimmie. Small world. Or just not that many of these around...

[@scowell]

Very *very* cool... I'm re-reading the AGC book as we speak... great timing! Fran Blanche (of Fran's Lab channel) needs to know about this, she's building a real DSKY, she's got a great video of getting to see one in the Smithsonian... talk to Fran. This is the holy grail of flight computers, I found what I assume was Mike's home effort years ago (built with 74LS NOR gates)... been a geek for this stuff for a long time. The book, _The Apollo Guidance Computer_ (Springer/Praxis) by Frank O'Brien is highly recommended if you geek like I do. We never learned... is this Block 1 or Block 2?

[@CuriousMarc]

This is a Block 2. The Block 1 is far from being this sexy.

[@benespection]

When Fran finds out about this she'll be so jealous to not be involved, I'm sure :) I think her DSKY project stalled years ago sadly. She's said in the past it's a pretty cost prohibitive project.

[@carlclaunch793]

@@benespection Fran does know of this effort and made major progress just seven months ago when she built up all the silkscreens, holders and jigs to begin making EL panels. Due to landlord issues, many projects are on hold as she deals with the need to relocate her lab at short notice. Hopefully by the summer she will be back on track with the DSKY panel replica effort.

[@VoidHalo]

If it's the holy grail of flight computers and not computers in general, then what IS the holy grail of computers in general? Also, I'm totally looking up that book. It sounds like a real treat.

[@scowell]

@@VoidHalo The Antikythera Mechanism... check Clickspring channel for that. There's a bunch of good Apollo books... Amazon has them all, of course. Faves were the one on the F1 engine, the AGC (mentioned), and the Stages To Saturn reprint.

[@Sonex1542]

So glad I found this. Thanks

[@lostit290]

I was nearly 21 when man landed on the moon. I hope a man lands on Mars before I die as it will make it worthwhile hanging around for 50 years. Should have gone there 30 or 40 years ago.

[@jocknarn3225]

What a GREAT idea 4 a story; V'GER, know all there is 2 know & report back to its Creator. A companion story stream; the Apollo-11 Guidance Computer late-60s vintage, restored in 2023 on the verge of Artemis, the return 2 the Moon, onto Mars & perhaps beyond .. maybe the mining of the Asteroid Belt ala The Expanse. Compare the 2020s laptop with that ancient AGC. Ur Apple Watch has waaaay more computing power than that AGC .. freakin' mind-blowing. I dunno how I passed Computing back in '74 .. Fortran via punch-cards .. I couldn't even spell my name correctly in Fortran. Utterly fascinating & so important 4 computing history!

[@alanhan]

Wow that was fascinating. Thanks for the video!

[@pscl227]

Simply incredible, thanks for sharing.

[@StatusFIX]

Slowly re-watching all the videos I listened to in the past , but not really taking in what was happening. , now I'm watching properly. Now A room full of folks with the same frame of mind. That's one hell of a nerd drug.

[@BlackEpyon]

Apple... Low... lol Wernher von Kerman would be proud. Always a delight to see such hardware being brought back to life!

[@Praysinggod]

Time to restore the crew module and the rest of the saturn v and go back to the moon

[@spearhead787]

Erm no samuel it doesn't work like that. We are returning in five years,but with brand new state of the art computers and displays. The SLS Rocket with the orion space craft. And the lunar gateway. I'm not belittling the technology of apollo,it was utterly fantastic for that time,so many things had never been done before. I love this seeing the AGC fired up again after all this time,after all this was the forerunner of what we have now. An incredible piece of hardware.

[@eksine]

@@spearhead787 yeah , heck you could use 3 nokia phones to launch that rocket nowadays, 3 phones for redundancy, plus everybody knows if it blows up the nokia phones would survive

[@burp2019]

@@eksine only if they're 3310s

[@burp2019]

@@spearhead787 it was a joke

[@Martin.Kefauver]

Saturn V is old rubbish. Future is Space X Starship 💪