Question

In the "Computer for Apollo" video, we saw what was considered incredible technology in its day. As they demonstrated the machine, you should have noticed several details giving clues as to what generation computer they used on the Apollo mission.

Q: What generation of computer technology was this, and list two to three pieces of evidence that bring you to this conclusion. Try to think of something other than, "it was really big".

video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIBhPsyYCiM&t=1363s

Answer 1

Apollo Guidance Computer was installed each in Apollo Command Module and Apollo Lunar Module. It provided computation and electronic interface for guidance, navigation of the spacecraft.

Most of the software on the Apollo Guidance Computer is stored in a specific ROM which is called core rope memory which is even the video is even describing at 1363s. The core rope memory has a lot of wires which are turned around magnetic cores though a small amount of read/write core memory is also available. Thes software which was written in Apollo Guidance Computer assembly language and stored in the core rope memory. Astronauts communicated using the DSKY Interface which is also called the display and keyboard interface. Apollo Guidance Computer was the first ever to use Silicon Integrated Circuit in its computer, the Integrated Circuit was basically a 3rd-Generation Computer but the early Integrated Circuit basically used Germanium in its circuit model but here we see Silicon being used which was a modern circuit architecture programme used in home computers in the 1970s.

I did not go through the whole video so if you have questions from the video then please specify so that I can have time to research.

Thanks