The Rendezvous Docking Simulator at NASA's oldest field center was constructed for what program?
Rendezvous Docking Simulator 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 $320,000 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 210 ft longitudinally at up to 20 ft/s , 16 ft laterally at up to 4 ft/s and vertically 45 ft at up to 10 ft/s .
NASA Docking System The NASA Docking System (NDS) is a spacecraft docking and berthing mechanism being developed for future US human spaceflight vehicles, such as the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle and the Commercial Crew vehicles. The NDS is NASA’s implementation of the International Docking System Standard (IDSS), an attempt by the International Space Station Multilateral Coordination Board (MCB) to create an international spacecraft docking standard. The international Low Impact Docking System (iLIDS). is the precursor to the NDS. The NDS did not implement the "low impact" design goal of the iLIDS. The NDS Block 1, was designed and built by The Boeing Company in Houston TX, to meet the IDSS standards. It is currently (January 2017)being tested to complete it design qualification.