Apollo 11's source code is now freely available to everyone on GitHub, and the manned moon landing project hides some quirky bits and pieces in its code.
What surprises most when looking at the antiquated guidance computer code is not the massive size of it, but the number of in-jokes that the coders slithered into it.
The code managing the lunar and command modules has been online since 2003, thanks to the efforts of tech researcher Ron Burkey. He took the time to transcribe each line of code by hand after looking at the original transcripts.
Now, the full code is up for grabs on GitHub thanks to previous NASA intern Chris Garry, who uploaded the files on July 7. Since the source codes were on the depository, coders and space buffs hurried to take a peek at the jokes and computing mastery, some of which remain relevant nearly 60 years after.
Luckily for the most of us, the jokes are not meant only for programmers' eyes. One of the files is aptly named BURN_BABY_BURN-MASTER_IGNITION_ROUTINE.s, and it comes with a few handy reference notes.
Other notable mentions come in the form of file PINBALL_GAME_BUTTONS_AND_LIGHTS.s, which controls the display system and keyboard.
In case you are not familiar with programming languages, know that the source code for Apollo 11 was written in a version of Assembly. NASA did develop its proprietary version of Assembly, which already was a low-level programming language that very few were able to master. This explains why the code is so vast, as well as why chief of software engineering Margaret Hamilton seems to be tripping in a famous photo.
Space buffs already started to send NASA suggestions as to what other files could be added to its future missions. Believe it or not, astronomy fans suggested that MATTDAMON.s should be part of the agency's future code, just in case we need to save the actor from Mars.
To put things in perspective, you should know that the Apollo Guidance Computer (AGC) that was embedded in both the Command Modules and Lunar Modules of the Apollo missions was loaded with the processing power equivalent of a simple electronic calculator. Despite the hardware limitations of the time, scientists at NASA and MIT managed to safely land a man to the moon 47 years ago.
Should you want to peruse the original source code for the mission by yourself, take a look at its GitHub page.
