In the coolest news ever, the source code for the freakin’ Apollo 11 space modules was recently revealed on GitHub. 🤩
Specifically, this is the source code for the guidance systems of the Lunar module (the thingy that landed on the surface of the moon) and the Command Module (the can that orbited the moon during the mission).
A few cool points:
- The code submission date is March 28, 1969.
- The programmer is one Margaret H. Hamilton, Colossus Programming Leader Apollo Guidance and Navigation. If anyone is still saying “girls” can’t code, then you can seriously stop now.
- There are two literal modules in the project: Comanche055 (Colossus 2A, the Command Module), Luminary099 (Luminary 1A, the Lunar Module). So much for thinking of “modules” as just a programming concept. These were two physical components literally flying around the moon.
- These nerds were funny too. The master ignition routine is called BURN_BABY_BURN. 😂
- The code seems to be written in some sort of assembler language, as in 1969 basically no modern languages were yet invented.
- The code comments are currently being translated to other spoken languages as part of this open source project. For all mankind, mothers! 🌎
patmcg.com 