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Initially, the lunar module computer had 33 kilobytes of memory. Current computers have millions of times more. An enhanced version doubled the memory to 66 kilobytes. "Once we had that extra memory, we had no problem putting the digital autopilot into this extra memory,"Dr. Gran called back.
Fifty years ago, as Apollo 11 was heading for the Moon, the people who built the spacecraft followed him with pride and nervousness.
When the lunar module, named Eagle, was finally on the moon, Dr. Gran said, "Then I jumped up and down. It's like winning the lottery. "
Others were also delighted, but still had to worry more. Charles Lowry's parachutes were still packed in expectation of return to Earth. This development was more difficult than expected, the control module having gained weight during its development. The parachutes had to slow down 13,500 pounds successfully.
But four days later, on July 24, 1969, the astronauts returned to Earth. The parachutes deployed, and Mr. Lowry could also celebrate.
"It was," he said, "an incredible feeling of" Yes, we really did it. "
The Downey and Bethpage sites have gone down in history. Grumman emptied its Long Island seat after its acquisition by Northrop Corporation in 1994. North American, which merged with Rockwell International, then designed and built the space shuttles. In 1996, the Rockwell aerospace component was sold to Boeing, which abandoned the Downey site in 1999.
"It was really hard to watch them demolish not only the story," said Mr. Blackburn, "but to suppress much of my life."
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