The Apollo 11 Lunar Module’s BAILOUT Code
Wed Dec 25 2019 09:44:59 GMT+0000 (UTC)
Saved by @albertthechecksum #historicalcode #nasa #apollo
1969: When the computer was at risk of running out of space (or “overflow”), the Apollo Guidance Computer triggered BAILOUT to schedule less important data and operations so it could keep the vital ones up and running. As the Eagle lander descended toward the moon’s surface, at 30,000 feet the AGC flashed a “1202” alarm, which neither Neil Armstrong nor the flight controller in Houston immediately recognized. But in less than 30 seconds, the computer experts in Mission Control relayed that the AGC software was doing just what it was supposed to: drop lower-priority work and restart the important jobs (so quickly that it was imperceptible to the crew). Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin would continue to get what they absolutely needed from the AGC to keep on the path to touchdown. Overflow alarms would sound three more times before Armstrong uttered “the Eagle has landed,” but always because things worked as intended. The word “bailout” normally signals the failed end of a mission, but here it helped make humanity’s highest achievement a reality. —Ellen Stofan, John and Adrienne Mars Director, Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum
https://slate.com/technology/2019/10/consequential-computer-code-software-history.html
Comments
@goblindoom95 - Fri Dec 27 2019 10:49:43 GMT+0000 (UTC)cool!