Digital Apollo Audiobook By David A. Mindell cover art

Digital Apollo

Human and Machine in Spaceflight

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Digital Apollo

By: David A. Mindell
Narrated by: Kyle Tait
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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 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.

©2008 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (P)2019 Tantor Astronomy & Space Science History & Culture Aeronautics & Astronautics Technology Science History Software Astronomy US Air Force Interstellar
Interesting Apollo History • Technical Explanations • Correct Pronunciation • Test Pilot Analysis • Professional Voice

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An interesting read, if your an Engineer like me. They book did a good job of explaining how they used the available technology of the day to build a fly by wire system and a guidance system for the Saturn V launches of Apollo.

The interesting, unknown story of Apollo

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This is a story for those who are interested in minutiae of electronic / human interaction. The narrator sounded like a professional speaker with a well-modulated voice. Not bad but boring compared with stories by astronauts.

Pedantic and Ponderous

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Having lived through the Apollo era I had many gaps in my knowledge base filled in.

Well written

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This is a wonderful synopsis of a much underrated and forgotten tool. I really got an appreciation for all of the things that the hardware and software folks went through to pull off this magnificent feat. Its definitely worth the time!

Fantastic synopsis

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This book provides a sort of test pilot’s analysis of what it’s like to land on the moon… The last several chapters encompass the Apollo 11- through 17 landings — and are particularly interesting.

In addition, this is one of the few audiobooks in which the narrator correctly pronounces all of the names of the era – – and all of the acronyms correctly.

I recommend it highly for manned space enthusiasts

Unique perspective

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