Digital Apollo: Human and Machine in Spaceflight
by: David A. Mindell
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Product Description:
As Apollo 11's Lunar Module descended toward the moon under automatic control, a program alarm in the guidance computer’s software nearly caused a mission abort. Neil Armstrong responded by switching off the automatic mode and taking direct control. He stopped monitoring the computer and began flying the spacecraft, relying on skill to land it and earning praise for a triumph of human over machine.
In Digital Apollo, engineer-historian David Mindell takes this famous moment as a starting point for an exploration of the relationship between humans and computers in the Apollo program. In each of the six Apollo landings, the astronaut in command seized control from the computer and landed with his hand on the stick. Mindell recounts the story of astronauts' desire to control their spacecraft in parallel with the history of the Apollo Guidance Computer. From the early days of aviation through the birth of spaceflight, test pilots and astronauts sought to be more than "spam in a can" despite the automatic controls, digital computers, and software developed by engineers. Digital Apollo examines the design and execution of each of the six Apollo moon landings, drawing on transcripts and data telemetry from the flights, astronaut interviews, and NASA's extensive archives.
Mindell's exploration of how human pilots and automated systems worked together to achieve the ultimate in flight—a lunar landing—traces and reframes the debate over the future of humans and automation in space. The results have implications for any venture in which human roles seem threatened by automated systems, whether it is the work at our desktops or the future of exploration.
As Apollo 11's Lunar Module descended toward the moon under automatic control, a program alarm in the guidance computer’s software nearly caused a mission abort. Neil Armstrong responded by switching off the automatic mode and taking direct control. He stopped monitoring the computer and began flying the spacecraft, relying on skill to land it and earning praise for a triumph of human over machine.
In Digital Apollo, engineer-historian David Mindell takes this famous moment as a starting point for an exploration of the relationship between humans and computers in the Apollo program. In each of the six Apollo landings, the astronaut in command seized control from the computer and landed with his hand on the stick. Mindell recounts the story of astronauts' desire to control their spacecraft in parallel with the history of the Apollo Guidance Computer. From the early days of aviation through the birth of spaceflight, test pilots and astronauts sought to be more than "spam in a can" despite the automatic controls, digital computers, and software developed by engineers. Digital Apollo examines the design and execution of each of the six Apollo moon landings, drawing on transcripts and data telemetry from the flights, astronaut interviews, and NASA's extensive archives.
Mindell's exploration of how human pilots and automated systems worked together to achieve the ultimate in flight—a lunar landing—traces and reframes the debate over the future of humans and automation in space. The results have implications for any venture in which human roles seem threatened by automated systems, whether it is the work at our desktops or the future of exploration.
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- Digital Apollo...somewhat boring at times.
I found some information presented interesting, but at times, somewhat boring.The author brings out the conflict between man and machine, in terms of whether man is ever really in control when computers are "in the loop".Or, is it "man is in the loop"?I could relate easily to the troubles of designing the Apollo Guidance Computer, since my career has involved developing man-machine interfaces and control systems.
Rating: 
- Not As Much As I Expected
I watched all the Apollo missions as a teenager and was fascinated by the technology involved.When I read the description of this book and the other reviews, I thought this would be a fairly intimate description of how the computers worked in the LM and CM. I was hoping for details like how a computer could do the calculations it did using so little capacity. I wanted to learn all about the things the computers could do and how they were applied to phases of the mission: Walk me through the hardware ... Read More
Rating: 
- Indispensable
I think that the book is indispensable in the professional's or enthusiast's desk reader. Good book.
Rating: - A fascinating story of man and machine and the best they can do together
Just to be clear, I have a degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics from MIT, obtained in the year 1968, when astronauts first reached the moon. I have made a career in aerospace ever since. With this background I found the book to be fascinating and read it from cover to cover in about 2 days. physically the book is of extremely high quality and very well produced. A pleasure to hold. The book is very well written, and the technical discussions are comprehensive, accurate and enlightening. Despite a career ... Read More
Rating: - "Soul of a new machine" for Apollo
Thankfully the publisher used silky cream paper to print this book.Both your hands and your brain are pampered.Clear line illustration inside with a fantastic cover graphic, this book rewards the touch of your hand by taking you on a magic carpet ride through the inner workings of developing the guidance and navigation systems for the moon shot. It is the "Soul of the New Machine" for the Apollo program.
It's a fascinating account of how the guidance computer and the human astronaut ... Read More
- Digital Apollo...somewhat boring at times.I found some information presented interesting, but at times, somewhat boring.The author brings out the conflict between man and machine, in terms of whether man is ever really in control when computers are "in the loop".Or, is it "man is in the loop"?I could relate easily to the troubles of designing the Apollo Guidance Computer, since my career has involved developing man-machine interfaces and control systems.
- Not As Much As I ExpectedI watched all the Apollo missions as a teenager and was fascinated by the technology involved.When I read the description of this book and the other reviews, I thought this would be a fairly intimate description of how the computers worked in the LM and CM. I was hoping for details like how a computer could do the calculations it did using so little capacity. I wanted to learn all about the things the computers could do and how they were applied to phases of the mission: Walk me through the hardware ... Read More
- IndispensableI think that the book is indispensable in the professional's or enthusiast's desk reader. Good book.
- A fascinating story of man and machine and the best they can do togetherJust to be clear, I have a degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics from MIT, obtained in the year 1968, when astronauts first reached the moon. I have made a career in aerospace ever since. With this background I found the book to be fascinating and read it from cover to cover in about 2 days. physically the book is of extremely high quality and very well produced. A pleasure to hold. The book is very well written, and the technical discussions are comprehensive, accurate and enlightening. Despite a career ... Read More
- "Soul of a new machine" for ApolloThankfully the publisher used silky cream paper to print this book.Both your hands and your brain are pampered.Clear line illustration inside with a fantastic cover graphic, this book rewards the touch of your hand by taking you on a magic carpet ride through the inner workings of developing the guidance and navigation systems for the moon shot. It is the "Soul of the New Machine" for the Apollo program.
It's a fascinating account of how the guidance computer and the human astronaut ... Read More
