A British startup called Apollo Instruments intends to combine space technologies with consumer electronics. First, they created a watch inspired by the computer from the Apollo mission.
Each of us may currently have more computing power in our pockets than the Apollo astronauts had in their spacecraft, but it cannot take us to the Moon. However, this is not a loss, because soon each of us will be able to wear some of the space technology on our wrist.
Apollo Instruments has created a miniature version of the legendary Apollo Guidance Computer in the form of a watch called DSKY Moonwatchallowing users to experience a glimpse of the work of Apollo astronauts on their wrist.
AGC on your wrist
The AGC used during the Apollo missions was a groundbreaking technological achievement of its time. The compact device, which took up as much space as a small suitcase, enabled spacecraft to be precisely guided from the Earth to the Moon. Today, thanks to the Apollo Instruments team, the original system has been reduced to the size of a watch without losing its functions.
DSKY Moonwatch offers an interface based on the iconic display and keyboard system (DSKY), which allows you to enter special codes to perform specific actions – from setting an alarm to simulating a landing on the moon. The watch is based on a faithful reproduction of the design of the original device, including fonts, backlight colors and the number of diodes, which makes it a true “gem of miniaturization”.
Using the Luminary code – original software created by Margaret Hamilton’s team at MIT – users can recreate sequences used by astronauts such as Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin during the Apollo 11 mission. The software is open and developer-friendly, allowing more advanced users to to use the watch in scientific projects or your own simulations.
The watch is also available for pre-order in the European Union. Its price is £659.
