posted 01-29-2018 01:30 AM               

DIY DSKY: Apollo astronaut keypad being rebooted as open source replica

Compared to the computer interfaces of today, the display keyboard used by the Apollo astronauts aboard their spacecraft might look quaint — until you recall that it was central to flying to the first humans to the moon almost half a century ago.

Now, a Columbus, Georgia electronics company that has recreated World War II Enigma machines and specialized in "location-based entertainment" devices has set its sights on offering the Apollo Guidance Computer's (AGC) display keyboard as an open source, Arduino-based replica ready in time for the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing in 2019.

"Imagine having this iconic device on your desk," reads the Kickstarter page for the "Open DSKY 50th Anniversary" by S&T Electronics.