ShuttleGPC

The Space Shuttle uses five General Purpose Computers (GPC) to operate. These computers share tasks such that the critical ones are shared by 2 or 3 GPC's. The actual computers are IBM AP-101's. The original cost for each of these units was $1.2 million. Four of the GPC's on a vehicle were IBM supplied and either Rockwell or Boeing supplied the 5th GPC. The 5th was purposely contracted to another vendor to minimize the likelihood of a systemic design failure.

One of these computers, serial number 202, now makes its home in Columbus, GA and will be part of the outreach efforts of the Columbus Space Program.


 * [[image:columbusspace/DSC_2969.JPG width="480" height="718"]] || [[image:columbusspace/DSC_2970.JPG width="480" height="718"]] ||
 * [[image:columbusspace/DSC_2980.JPG width="480" height="718"]] || [[image:columbusspace/DSC_2982.JPG width="496" height="397"]] ||


 * [[image:columbusspace/GPS_shuttle_diagram.jpg width="800" height="517"]] ||
 * [[image:columbusspace/GPS_shuttle_diagram7.jpg]] ||
 * [[image:columbusspace/ap-101s_NSU.jpg width="800" height="606"]] ||