Wonderful! See:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/10/technology/circuits/10apol.html
http://starfish.osfn.org/AGCreplica/
http://starfish.osfn.org/AGCreplica/buildAGC1.pdf
REPORT
Block I Apollo Guidance Computer (AGC) How to build one in your basement
Material developed and provided by John Pultorak who is kind enough to put these files into the public domain with no restrictions on their use.
Abstract
This report describes my successful project to build a working reproduction of the 1964 prototype for the Block I Apollo Guidance Computer. The AGC is the flight computer for the Apollo moon landings, with one unit in the command module and one in the LEM.
I built it in my basement. It took me 4 years.
If you like, you can build one too. It will take you less time, and yours will be better than mine.
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Original AGC: Designed by M.I.T. in 1964 World's first microchip computer Prototype computer for Apollo moon landing Memory: 12K fixed (ROM), 1K eraseable (RAM) Clock: 1.024 MHz Computing: 11 instructions, 16 bit word Logic: ~5000 ICs (3-input NOR gates, RTL logic)
My AGC: Built from original M.I.T. design documents Started November 2000, completed October 2004 ~15K hand-wrapped wire connections; ~3500 feet of wire Cost (parts only): $2,980. Labor: ~2500 hours Logic: ~500 ICs (LSTTL logic) Runs flight software (1969 program name: COLOSSUS 249)
