Apollo Software

[Maximilian Hohmann]

(08-21-2016 05:18 PM)Don Shepherd Wrote:  It never failed in flight.

But it would, if the flight had lasted longer. The Apollo guidance computers were designed for a total life of 2000 hours only. The initial concept even included some degree of in-flight serviceability by supplying the astronauts with tools and spare PCBs. This was only dropped after the prototype computers all exceeded their design life in the laboratory.

Interestingly, Margaret Hamilton, portrayed in the link above as the master mind behind the Apollo Guidance Computer, hardly gets any mention in the excellent book "Digital Apollo". I wonder which recollection comes closer to the actual historic facts?

Regards
Max