Conversations with the Apollo Astronauts | Don Eyles | TEDxBeaconStreet

Stories of the astronauts who went to the Moon, encountered by the author when he developed software for the guidance computer aboard the Apollo Lunar Module - and observations on the cultural climate that supported the success of the United States space program in the 1960s and 1970s. Don Eyles joined the Draper team in 1966 and worked on the software programming team that was responsible for the on board computer of the Apollo Space program. With a computer designed to be one cubic foot and not the size of an entire room, there was limited memory to work with to program a piece of equipment that would prove to be extremely important.
Eyles was responsible for writing the software for the lunar descent and landing beginning with the Apollo 5 mission and continuing on through Apollo 17, moving fully to NASA’s space program after 1972. Eyles and his team developed the sequencing system, Timeliner, while working at the Instrumentation Lab. This system runs on the International Space Station even today.
When Apollo 14’s “Abort” switch jammed before the Lunar Excursion Module was getting ready to land on the moon, Eyles had limited time to write a new batch of code that would instruct the computer to ignore the switch and allow the module to land without issue. Otherwise the module would abort the moon landing and return home. His success earned him accolades for saving the Apollo 14 mission.
As the Apollo project progressed, Eyles and the other software programmers tweaked the code and adapted it to better help the astronauts with successful landings. He retired in 1998 after continuing to work on NASA projects. His book Sunburst and Luminary: An Apollo Memoir debuted in March 2018. Eyles also has a series of kaleidoscopic photographs taken around the world. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@johnsutherland168]

I worked with Don at MIT/IL in 1968-1969, and remember many of those busy long days working on getting the computer programs done and working successfully. I never amounted to much as a programmer, but I did help with the program releases to NASA and the major subcontractors working on the Apollo programs. This may have been the single most exciting work I did in my 20s. How young many of us were, and how inexperienced we were when it came to understanding exactly what would happen when man actually went to the moon. But Apollo was successful, and the whole 10 year program only cost America what we were spending on the Vietnam war in one year. It helps me understand how peace can be hugely more successful for humanity than war.

[@JeffGR4]

Don Eyles is pure genius - a national treasure!

[@dkluempers]

A wonderful talk. I read his book. These guys were truly incredible.

[@garyn3040]

Awesome presentation i just finished reading Don's book sunburst and luminary and found what they accomplished with early computer programming was nothing short of fantastic!

[@fostercathead]

That was fantastic, especially his closing remarks.

[@1jeffr]

"We were primed for adventure. We valued our freedom more highly than we valued our safety or our income. Perhaps that same spirit will have to return to the culture" AMEN

[@eddielopez2373]

Really enjoyable presentation. For an era that’s been thoroughly covered and romanticized over the decades from the perspective of the astronauts, it’s awesome to hear about the more personal experiences of the “boots on the ground.”

[@arricammarques1955]

Imagine walking into MIT and securing a job today? Incredible story.

[@teleroel]

Communication is everything. Don Eyles later said that current NASA programmers probably don't speak directly to astronauts. That's not good.

[@James_Bowie]

Those were the Can Do days, indeed.

[@jaelynnashby5291]

I do wish I was there so I could ask 'What were the necessities to have to become a scientist. After watching this it did really catch my attention.

[@johnsutherland168]

We are at a different time in life now, and I suspect that the common theme for all scientists is to never take what someone else defines as the limit of what can be explored, and then to keep asking questions (as you just did). It may also help to remain focused on one aspect of science, rather than to be a multitasker. It also helps to 'know thyself.' ;-)

[@MinusEighty]

Quick question. Why can't we go back?

[@johnsutherland168]

I suspect the problem is political, rather than technical. The central government is more interested in remaining the great empire than it is in becoming the great innovator. There seems to be more money in military expenditures and in making war against others.

[@MinusEighty]

@@johnsutherland168 No country has gone to the moon in 50 years

[@johnsutherland168]

@@MinusEighty - Perhaps no manned mission has ventured to the moon in 50 years, but there have been deep space probes that have gone to the moon and beyond. And yes, I also worked for a while on deep space missions at JPL.

[@MinusEighty]

@@johnsutherland168 Kinda strange. It will be even stranger at sixty years when no man alive has set foot on the moon. And then at seventy years it may dawn on everyone that we never went.

[@johnsutherland168]

@@MinusEighty - We seem to be differing on whether or not man ever went to the moon. You were not part of the Apollo effort and yet you claim we never went. I was part of the Apollo effort and maintain we did go to the Moon. Your view is incorrect, and is aligned with those doubters who say that we never landed on the Moon, and frankly, I don't have any tolerance for that view. We're done here. Have a nice day.

[@marvinsannes9397]

Ugh! Reminds me of growing up in German Catholic Mt. Angel and a church service: The Holy Mother, Eternal Life, Rising from the Dead, Confession of Sin, and Church Expenses. These people believe, are devout, and "men believe what they wish to be true." Don't ask about those 1,000 lbs. of batts. that replaced the RTG technology that never caught up to that launch date. Nixon chatting on the phone with the boys on the moon. For me, the most compelling: Collins, alone, on the "dark" side, with the best view into the face of god any human has ever had and he doesn't share it with us? - "I don't remember seeing any (stars)". Apollo was theater - excellent theater for 1969, but theater.

[@philstephes]

*hands Marvin a dunce cap* you forgot this.

[@simonparker57]

Nurse will be hear soon. Now remember to take your pills.

[@marvinsannes9397]

@@simonparker57 Belief is a comfort! And ridicule for anyone who does not share the belief. The wages of sin! Imagine that A/C unit? Geesus! 240 degrees outside. Oh wait, it was 200 below on the shaded side so I guess it was one hand in ice water and one hand in boiling water so you're quite comfortable. Yeah! That works!

[@susananderson5029]

@@marvinsannes9397 I'm reminded of the saying at one of the IPCC Global Warming conferences: "Lead, follow, or get out of the way" I suggest that instead of sniping from the sidelines with fancy dancy nonsense, you do one of these.

[@johnsutherland168]

Your comments and opinions are really not very relevant to the actual missions. MIT/IL was responsible for Apollo guidance and navigation, and from that perspective, Apollo was hugely successful. Yes, we did go to the Moon, and yes, we managed to survive the alleged problems of space radiation and a flat earth as some falsely suggest caused Apollo to only be a simulation, rather than actual manned missions. The Apollo manned missions were successful, and only 3 volunteer astronauts died on the job. Show me a military war in which only three volunteers die. There are none.