GMK Lunar — Inspired by the Apollo Guidance Computer and DSKY Interface

Ever since June rolled over last year, I have been thinking how to commemorate the Apollo 11’s mission’s 50th anniversary. Then I remembered the Apollo Guidance Computer (it made waves over the internet last year, because people were trying to prove that Margaret Hamilton didn’t deserve any credit for it) and its interface — DSKY (pronounced “dis-kee”).

Apollo Guidance Computer and DSKY

As you can see, the DSKY has a black keypad with white legends, yellow indicator lights, and a green electroluminescent seven-segment display. Commands were entered numerically, as two-digit numbers — called Verb and Noun. The first one represented the action being issued, while the second represented the data that would be changed.

One of my goals was to use the legends and values from DSKY’s various keys and indicators, in place of traditional modifier legends. This in turn led me to a decision to use stock GMK colours, to make everything easier and more affordable.

GMK Lunar uses a medium 2B gray for the alphas and mods with a lighter 2M gray for legends. The Numpad, which I consider an integral part of the whole design and colourway, uses the darker N9 gray with 2M legends. I also chose N6 yellow as the main accent colour, with N9 legends, where appropriate. The Novelty Kit has a set of optional “Master Alarm” accents — these will be RO2.

GMK Lunar Kits

Command Module

The Command Module (core kit) will most keyboards up to 100% layouts, including 60%, 65%, 75%, and TKLs. Please take note of the custom legends, inspired by the DSKY interface, as well as the sublegends on the alphas, commemorating the Apollo 11 mission and the three astronauts on board — Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong, and Michael Collins.

Houston! We Have A Problem!

The novelty kit offers custom keys for all rows in the default grey for a more subtle look, the default accent yellow (N6), for those who prefer a little splash of colour, to MASTER ALARM red accents (RO2), for those who want a more dramatic effect.

Lunar Module

The Lunar Module’s dark alphas are meant for those, who want to deviate a little from the original design and require more contrast between their modifiers and alphas. Coupled with the Command Module, you will be able to cover two keyboards with these kits, if you use specific enough layouts on both.

Landing Pad

Extra space keys made for split spacebar users, Alice users, and those that require 6u centre stem and off-centre stem bars.

Service Module

This special kit was built with the expertise of MKUltra, who will make sure that MOQ on this set is met, and it’s meant to cover all manners of 40%, ortholinear, and ergo keyboards.

GMK Lunar Desk Mats

Novelty Pattern

Astronaut

Technical Flight Plan

Apollo 11 Flight Plan

GMK Lunar Renders

Austin by driftingbunnies with GMK Lunar’s Command Module

RAMA WORKS M60-A LNY20 in red with GMK Lunar’s Command Module, Lunar Module, and Houston! We Have A Problem!

GrayStudio Think6.5° with GMK Lunar’s Command Module and Houston! We Have A Problem!

GMK Lunar Pricing

This set is supremely unique in terms of the number of moulds that GMK will make for Lunar — I believe there will be a total of 77 new moulds. I would also like to take this chance to thank GMK for all their help in graciously participating financially in this set, to help bring the price down, as well as the vendors, who have minimised their profits, to make it easier for all of you guys.

USA — The Key Company →

Command Module (core kit | 149 keys) — 160 USD

Houston! We Have a Problem! (novelty kit | 37 keys) — 75 USD

Lunar Module (alphas kit | 59 keys) — 65 USD

Landing Pad (Spacebars | 10 keys) — 25 USD

Service Module (assembly kit | 133 keys) — 165 USD

Salvun’s Footprint Artisan — TBD

Desk mats — TBD

Europe — MyKeyboard.eu →

Command Module (core kit | 149 keys) — 151 EUR

Houston! We Have a Problem! (novelty kit | 37 keys) — 70 EUR

Lunar Module (alphas kit | 59 keys) — 57 EUR

Landing Pad (Spacebars | 10 keys) — 20 EUR

Service Module (assembly kit | 133 keys) — 160 EUR

Salvun’s Footprint Artisan — TBD

Desk mats — TBD

Australia — Daily Clack →

Command Module (core kit | 149 keys) — 242 AUD

Houston! We Have a Problem! (novelty kit | 37 keys) — 113 AUD

Lunar Module (alphas kit | 59 keys) — 98 AUD

Landing Pad (Spacebars | 10 keys) — 38 AUD

Service Module (assembly kit | 133 keys) — 250 AUD

Salvun’s Footprint Artisan — TBD

Desk mats — TBD

Asia — iLumKB →

Command Module (core kit | 149 keys) — 224 SGD

Houston! We Have a Problem! (novelty kit | 37 keys) — 105 SGD

Lunar Module (alphas kit | 59 keys) — 91 SGD

Landing Pad (Spacebars | 10 keys) — 35 SGD

Service Module (assembly kit | 133 keys) — 230 SGD

Salvun’s Footprint Artisan — TBD

Desk mats — TBD

Sidenote

The base kit, at 160 USD, with included numpad, is still cheaper than GMK Phosphorous was with a separate base kit (129 USD base + 34 USD numpad = 163 USD) and GMK Apollo (120 USD base + 50 USD numpad = 170 USD).

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