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.

I documented my project in 9 separate files:

Why build an AGC?

Early computers are interesting. Because they're simple, you can (if you like) actually understand the entire computer, from hardware to software. The AGC is the most interesting early computer because: it flew the first men to the moon and has interesting architectural features.

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