Probably the most sweat-inducing user input verification code in history.
2026-06-04 19:51 UTC
This is the code in the Apollo Guidance Computer for Apollo 11.
It’s part of the LUMINARY sofware, which ran on the AGC on the Lunar Module. It’s meant to check if the landing radar is pointed toward the lunar surface - because the LM went through several orientations, the landing radar could be pointed to the front or the side or down. You’re landing on the Moon. Point it down.
Point is, you have to verify user input. Even if your users are the most meticulous and highly trained individuals in history. You have to see if they’re lying. So you get to the BURNBABY.
Browse the code in GitHub - this code is in THE_LUNAR_LANDING.agc
Replies (6)
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@Rhaedas@fedia.io 2026-06-04 20:55
Sanitizing user input for the Moon landings. Meanwhile in 2026, ask AI to change an authentication phone number and it says, "Sure thing!" And is ABLE to do it.
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@rizzothesmall@sh.itjust.works 2026-06-04 21:50
Love that the termination routine is GOTOPOOH and the next step is BURNBABY
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@AllNewTypeFace@leminal.space 2026-06-04 23:46
TCF = Terminate and Catch Fire?
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@phailhaus@piefed.social 2026-06-05 04:07
in case anyone is curious, those comments are not a modern addition. They are a faithful reproduction of the original scanned copy of the code.
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@DisasterTransport@startrek.website 2026-06-05 02:08
Interesting how similar this is at first glance to Kerboscript. Neat!
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@rtxn@lemmy.world 2026-06-05 12:17
PLEASE CRANK THE SILLY THING AROUND should not be as hilarious as it is