FOIA request to NASA regarding HAL/S programming language

I’ve been trying to get a copy of the HAL/S Language Specification for some time. HAL/S is the programming language used for the on-board software of the Space Shuttle. A contact at NASA was able to provide me with a copy of the book Programming in HAL/S, which is a tutorial introduction to the language, but was not able to obtain the Language Specification.

On April 21, 2006, I submitted this FOIA request to NASA:

I: HAL/S Language Specification

This is a manual providing a specification for the HAL/S programming language, which is the language used for the software for the Space Shuttle on-board computers.

This document was produced by Intermetrics under contract to NASA; I believe that is is either in the public domain, or that the United States Government owns the copyright.

Multiple editions of this specification exist. I am aware of editions with dates ranging from 1974 through 1980, though I expect that there are probably more recent editions. The most recent edition available would be preferred.

II: HAL/S Programmer’s Guide – Volume 1 & 2

This document was produced by Intermetrics under contract to NASA; I believe that is is either in the public domain, or that the United States Government owns the copyright.

III: HAL/S Programmer’s Guide

There was an edition published in December 1981; there may be a more recent edition. The most recent edition available would be preferred.

This document was produced by Intermetrics under contract to NASA; I believe that is is either in the public domain, or that the United States Government owns the copyright.

IV: HAL/S-360 Compiler System Specification

There was an edition published in Feburary 1981; there may be a more recent edition. The most recent edition available would be preferred.

It is believed that these documents would be available at the Johnson Space Center, and would normally be used by the team responsible for the development and testing of software for the Space Shuttle’s on-board computers.

I received confirmation of the FOIA request on April 21. They should have sent me a response or a notice of a deadline extension by May 19, but I have not yet received either. It’s possible that the response or notice is in the mail to me. I’ll give it another week, and if I haven’t received anything, I’ll contact them again.

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2 Responses to FOIA request to NASA regarding HAL/S programming language

  1. Pingback: What’s All This Brouhaha? » NASA response to my FOIA request

  2. Absinthia Stacy says:

    Got any response so far?

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