The Rendezvous Docking Simulator, also known as the Real-Time Dynamic Simulator, is a simulator at the Langley Research Center. It was constructed for the Gemini program in Building 1244 and it became operational in June 1963 at a cost of $320,000Hangar – NasaCRgis and later reconfigured for the Apollo program. The simulator consists of a gantry frame, with an overhead carriage from which test craft were suspended by cables. A gimbal was powered hydraulically and was capable of changing pitch and yaw at a rate of 1 radian per second or roll at 2 radians per second. The gantry also moved like an overhead crane using electric motors and was capable of travelling longitudinally at up to , laterally at up to and vertically at up to .
It is the only surviving simulator from the NASA Gemini and Apollo space programs that was used by astronauts to practice docking of space capsules with other vessels. Ability to dock reliably with the Apollo Lunar Module was a crucial skill essential for the mission to return from the Moon. The docking simulator was used alongside the Projection Planetarium in training exercises.
It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1985.
Currently it is stored, hanging from the rafters in Building 1244, a vast hangar at Langley, and there are no plans for it otherwise.
See also List of National Historic Landmarks in Virginia National Register of Historic Places listings in Hampton, Virginia
References and
(version at Virginia DHR, also including 5 maps showing location of Langley and the simulator within Langley)
External links
Rendezvous Docking Simulator, Langley, one photo at Virginia DHR
NASA Langley Cultural Resources: Rendezvous Docking Simulator