Digital Apollo: Human and Machine in Spaceflight

by David A. Mindell Narrated by Kyle Tait

Overview

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.

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 flightamp;mdash;a lunar landingamp;mdash;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.

Editorial Reviews

Air & Space - Dwayne A. Day

The book is a refreshing reminder that it is still possible to uncover new stories about the early years of the American space program.

IEEE Spectrum

Mindell joyfully plumbs the deep history of Apollo's decade-long clash between the MIT eggheads who built the computers and the thrill-jockey military test pilots who used them.

coolhunting.com - James Thorne

[A] wealth of research that even the most informed space fans can enjoy. Mindell avoids the temptation to glorify the space program, instead dealing with the nitty gritty logistics involved in getting a man to the moon. Digital Apollo succeeds in providing an inside track to one of the most difficult technological challenges of the 20th century.

From the Publisher

"The book is a refreshing reminder that it is still possible to uncover new stories about the early years of the American space program."—Dwayne A. Day, Air & Space

Edgar Mitchell

"[A] wealth of research that even the most informed space fans can enjoy. Mindell avoids the temptation to glorify the space program, instead dealing with the nitty gritty logistics involved in getting a man to the moon. Digital Apollo succeeds in providing an inside track to one of the most difficult technological challenges of the 20th century." —coolhunting.com

" Digital Apollo succeeds in providing an inside track to one of the most difficult technological challenges of the 20th century." — JamesThorne, Cool Hunting

"Mindell joyfully plumbs the deep history of Apollo's decade-long clash between theMIT eggheads who built the computers and the thrill-jockey military test pilots who used them." IEEESpectrum

" Digital Apollo is an excellent and unique historical account of the lengthy, and often pitched struggle of designers, engineers, and pilots to successfully integrate man and complex computer systems for the Apollo lunar landings. It brings back fond memories." — Edgar Mitchell, Sc.D.;Captain, USN(retired) Lunar Module Pilot,Apollo 14

Product Details

BN ID:	2940170869558
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Publication date:	12/16/2021
Edition description:	Unabridged

Related Subjects

• History
• Science & Technology
• United States History
• Aerospace Engineering
• Engineering
• Astronomy
• 20th Century United States History - 1945 to 2000
• 20th Century American History - Space Program
• Aeronautical Engineering - General & Miscellaneous
• Astronautical Engineering - General & Miscellaneous
• Astronautical Engineering - Spacecraft
• Outer Space - Observation & Exploration

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