November 2025 Monthly Member Meeting
Restoring the Apollo Guidance Computer - A presentation by Marc Verdiell
Event Details
Presentation: Restoring the Apollo Guidance Computer
This month we’re thrilled to welcome Marc Verdiell, Chief Technology Officer of the Samtec Optical Group, who will present on the remarkable restoration of the Apollo Guidance Computer (AGC) in time for the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing.
The AGC was the groundbreaking computer that navigated Apollo spacecraft to the moon and back, including the critical landing and ascent of the Lunar Modules. Marc will share the fascinating story of how his restoration team brought this rare piece of computing history back to life, overcoming challenges that included recreating obsolete 1960s-era connectors that were no longer available.
About the Presenter
Marc Verdiell is the Chief Technology Officer of the Samtec Optical Group in Santa Clara, California, and a renowned vintage computer restoration expert. Marc is a volunteer member of the restoration team at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California, where he previously worked on restoring the iconic IBM 1401 mainframe from the early 1960s.
Marc teamed up with fellow restorers Carl Claunch and Ken Shirriff to successfully restore a rare Xerox Alto—the computer that inspired Steve Jobs to create the first Macintosh. Their 18-month Alto restoration project was chronicled on YouTube and made them well-known in the computer restoration community. Following this success, the team was contacted to take on an even rarer challenge: restoring an Apollo Guidance Computer for the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11.
Marc combines his expertise in cutting-edge optical technology with a deep appreciation for computing history, making him uniquely qualified to bridge the gap between 1960s aerospace engineering and modern restoration techniques.
The Apollo Guidance Computer Story
The computer Marc’s team restored has a remarkable history. In 1976, Jimmie Loocke, a former NASA Manned Spacecraft Center technician, discovered two tons of Apollo project materials—including a Lunar Module AGC—at a recycler’s warehouse and saved them from being scrapped. Years later, in 2004, when Eldon Hall (the original chief architect of the AGC) examined Loocke’s computer, they discovered it was in pristine condition and not potted—making it a potential candidate for restoration.
The restoration involved recreating vintage connectors that Samtec had never manufactured (the company opened in 1976, after the Apollo era), using only original prints as reference. Marc will share the technical challenges, clever solutions, and teamwork that went into bringing this piece of space history back to operational status.
Learn more about the project:
Meeting Schedule
6:00 PM - Meeting Begins:
- Show and Tell (bring your cool things!)
- Ham Help (bring your questions and challenges!)
- News and upcoming ham events and activities
6:30 PM - Presentation:
- Restoring the Apollo Guidance Computer by Marc Verdiell
Location & Attendance
In-Person: Building 31, Microsoft Campus
Address: 3730 163rd Ave NE, Redmond, WA 98052
For those new to how physical meetings work, we monitor the 2m alternate call channel (146.580). If you need an escort (i.e., not a badged employee), call when you arrive, wait at or near the entrance door, and someone will come and escort you to the meeting room. Bring your HT and do your part to help with this process! Feel free to bring your dinner to enjoy during the program.
Directions to Building 31
From SR-520:
- Get off at NE 40th St and head east (downhill) toward Lake Sammamish
- Turn right at the light at 163rd Ave NE heading south
From Bel-Red Road:
- Head west (uphill) at NE 40th away from Lake Sammamish
- Turn left into the Microsoft campus at the first light at 163rd Ave NE heading south
From NE 40th and 163rd Ave (going south):
- Building 31 is the third left into the surface level parking lot between Building 31 and 32
- Do not turn at the sign for Building 31
- Do not turn at the sign for Building 31 this will take you into the underground parking garage where you will need a badge to get into the building
- Parking is available in the surface lot closest to Building 31
Virtual Attendance via Microsoft Teams
Join the Meeting:
Microsoft Teams Meeting Link
Meeting Details:
- Meeting ID: 241 220 373 306
- Passcode: HU7v8Nr9
Dial in by Phone:
- +1 425-707-5929,,65802745# (United States, Redmond)
- (844) 304-5076,,65802745# (United States, Toll-free)
- Phone Conference ID: 658 027 45#
Disclaimers
Recording Please note that this meeting will be recorded. By attending or otherwise participating in these meetings or other events, you agree to this policy, including waivers and consent to the use of your contributions and image, voice, and other mechanisms of participation.
Privacy, consent and Opt-out
You may opt-out from identification in the recording by muting your audio, not enabling video, not contributing to the chat window, as well as not otherwise participating in the event. By attending any meeting or other MicroHAMS activity, you consent to the recording and subsequent use of any content you provide or participate in, any image, audio or other evidence of your presence, and waive any and all claims to that material as well as any other claims of privacy, privilege, or copyright. Those who do not consent to being recorded will not be able to remain in the meeting. Remaining in the meeting or other activity is consent regardless of the individual’s stated intent (to not consent) i.e. you may not object or refuse consent and then remain in the meeting or event.
Location
Loading map...
Location: Microsoft Building 31, 3730 163rd Ave NE, Redmond, WA 98052
Open in Google Maps →