Low Impact Docking System
Encyclopedia
The NASA Docking System (NDS) or international Low Impact Docking System (iLIDS) is a spacecraft docking and berthing mechanism being developed by NASA
for the next generation of space exploration
vehicles, such as the Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle
and the Commercial Crew vehicles
. It is androgynous, the first system to use low impact technology and the first system to allow both docking and berthing. Once mated NDS can transfer power, data, commands, air and in the future will be able to transfer water and fuel. It features pyrotechnics for contingency undocking, and is capable of supporting both autonomous docking or piloted. It is compatible with the International Docking System Standard (IDSS), which is an attempt by the ISS Multilateral Coordination Board to create a docking standard. The Transfer Passage has a diameter of 26.97 inches, which can be increased to 32.00 inches by removing the petals.
In form and function NDS bears some resemblance to the Androgynous Peripheral Attach System
(APAS-95) mechanism already in use on the Pressurized Mating Adapter (PMA)
attached to the International Space Station
, but is not compatible with it so NDS APAS Docking Adapters (NADA) will be attached to the PMAs, one at Node-2 forward, the other at Node-2 zenith.
The mechanism is covered by US patent 6354540, titled "Androgynous, Reconfigurable Closed Loop Feedback Controlled Low Impact Docking System With Load Sensing Electromagnetic Capture Ring."
and NASA's 2005 Exploration Systems Architecture Study
was created in response, recommended to use the Low Impact Docking System (LIDS) on the Crew Exploration Vehicle
and all applicable future exploration elements. The Hubble Space Telescope
received the Soft-Capture Mechanism (SCM) on STS-125
. The SCM is meant for unpressurized docking, but uses the LIDS interface to reserve the possibility of an Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle
docked mission. The docking ring is mounted on Hubble's aft bulkhead. It will be used for safely de-orbiting Hubble at the end of its service lifetime.
In February 2010 the LIDS program became modified to be compliant with the IDSS and became known as the international Low Impact Docking System (iLIDS) or simply the NASA Docking System (NDS). In May of 2011, the NDS critical design review was completed and qualification is expected to be completed by late 2013.
has expressed interest in licensing the LIDS technology from NASA for its space station
technology development program. Bigelow was planning to equip its Sundancer
and BA-330 expandable space modules with both a Soyuz-style docking system
on one end and the NASA-standard Low Impact Docking System on the other.
During the summer of 2011, news had been made available that Bigelow was considering to use NDS on their modules.
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
for the next generation of space exploration
Space exploration
Space exploration is the use of space technology to explore outer space. Physical exploration of space is conducted both by human spaceflights and by robotic spacecraft....
vehicles, such as the Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle
Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle
The Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle is a planned spacecraft that is being built by Lockheed Martin for NASA, the space agency of the United States, based on designs and tests already completed for the Orion spacecraft. The MPCV was announced by NASA on May 24, 2011...
and the Commercial Crew vehicles
Commercial Crew Development
Commercial Crew Development is a multiphase space technology development program, funded by the U.S. government, and administered by NASA. The program is intended to stimulate development of privately operated crew vehicles to low Earth orbit. It is run by the Commercial Crew and Cargo Program...
. It is androgynous, the first system to use low impact technology and the first system to allow both docking and berthing. Once mated NDS can transfer power, data, commands, air and in the future will be able to transfer water and fuel. It features pyrotechnics for contingency undocking, and is capable of supporting both autonomous docking or piloted. It is compatible with the International Docking System Standard (IDSS), which is an attempt by the ISS Multilateral Coordination Board to create a docking standard. The Transfer Passage has a diameter of 26.97 inches, which can be increased to 32.00 inches by removing the petals.
In form and function NDS bears some resemblance to the Androgynous Peripheral Attach System
Androgynous Peripheral Attach System
The Androgynous Peripheral Attach System, or Androgynous Peripheral Assembly System, is a spacecraft docking mechanism used on the International Space Station. It is used to dock the Space Shuttle orbiter and to connect the Functional Cargo Block to Pressurized Mating Adapter-1...
(APAS-95) mechanism already in use on the Pressurized Mating Adapter (PMA)
Pressurized Mating Adapter
The International Space Station uses three Pressurized Mating Adapters to interconnect spacecraft and modules with different docking mechanisms. The first two PMAs were launched with the Unity module in 1998 aboard STS-88...
attached to the International Space Station
International Space Station
The International Space Station is a habitable, artificial satellite in low Earth orbit. The ISS follows the Salyut, Almaz, Cosmos, Skylab, and Mir space stations, as the 11th space station launched, not including the Genesis I and II prototypes...
, but is not compatible with it so NDS APAS Docking Adapters (NADA) will be attached to the PMAs, one at Node-2 forward, the other at Node-2 zenith.
The mechanism is covered by US patent 6354540, titled "Androgynous, Reconfigurable Closed Loop Feedback Controlled Low Impact Docking System With Load Sensing Electromagnetic Capture Ring."
History
Johnson Space Center began development in 1996, then it was known as the Advanced Docking Berthing System and eventually the X-38 Low-Impact Docking System. The X-38 was canceled in 2002, development of the mating system continued but its future was unknown. In 2004 George Bush announced his Vision for Space ExplorationVision for Space Exploration
The Vision for Space Exploration is the United States space policy which was announced on January 14, 2004 by President George W. Bush. It is seen as a response to the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, the state of human spaceflight at NASA, and a way to regain public enthusiasm for space...
and NASA's 2005 Exploration Systems Architecture Study
Exploration Systems Architecture Study
The Exploration Systems Architecture Study is the official title of a large-scale, system level study released by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in November 2005 in response to American president George W...
was created in response, recommended to use the Low Impact Docking System (LIDS) on the Crew Exploration Vehicle
Orion (spacecraft)
Orion is a spacecraft designed by Lockheed Martin for NASA, the space agency of the United States. Orion development began in 2005 as part of the Constellation program, where Orion would fulfill the function of a Crew Exploration Vehicle....
and all applicable future exploration elements. The Hubble Space Telescope
Hubble Space Telescope
The Hubble Space Telescope is a space telescope that was carried into orbit by a Space Shuttle in 1990 and remains in operation. A 2.4 meter aperture telescope in low Earth orbit, Hubble's four main instruments observe in the near ultraviolet, visible, and near infrared...
received the Soft-Capture Mechanism (SCM) on STS-125
STS-125
STS-125, or HST-SM4 , was the fifth and final space shuttle servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope .Launch occurred on 11 May 2009 at 2:01 pm EDT...
. The SCM is meant for unpressurized docking, but uses the LIDS interface to reserve the possibility of an Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle
Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle
The Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle is a planned spacecraft that is being built by Lockheed Martin for NASA, the space agency of the United States, based on designs and tests already completed for the Orion spacecraft. The MPCV was announced by NASA on May 24, 2011...
docked mission. The docking ring is mounted on Hubble's aft bulkhead. It will be used for safely de-orbiting Hubble at the end of its service lifetime.
In February 2010 the LIDS program became modified to be compliant with the IDSS and became known as the international Low Impact Docking System (iLIDS) or simply the NASA Docking System (NDS). In May of 2011, the NDS critical design review was completed and qualification is expected to be completed by late 2013.
Bigelow
Bigelow AerospaceBigelow Aerospace
Bigelow Aerospace is a North Las Vegas, Nevada space technology startup company that is pioneering work on expandable space station modules. Bigelow Aerospace was founded by Robert Bigelow in 1998...
has expressed interest in licensing the LIDS technology from NASA for its space station
Bigelow Commercial Space Station
The Bigelow Next-Generation Commercial Space Station is a private orbital space complex currently under development by Bigelow Aerospace. The space station will be constructed of both Sundancer and BA 330 expandable spacecraft modules as well as a central docking node, propulsion, solar arrays,...
technology development program. Bigelow was planning to equip its Sundancer
Sundancer
Sundancer is the proposed third prototype space habitat to be launched by Bigelow Aerospace and the first human-rated expandable module based on TransHab technology acquired from NASA...
and BA-330 expandable space modules with both a Soyuz-style docking system
Kurs (docking system)
Kurs is a radio telemetry system used by the Soviet and later Russian space program.Kurs was developed by the Research Institute of Precision Instruments before 1985 and manufactured by the Kiev Radio Factory .- History :...
on one end and the NASA-standard Low Impact Docking System on the other.
During the summer of 2011, news had been made available that Bigelow was considering to use NDS on their modules.
External links
- NASA Docking System webpage
- History of Docking Systems (ppt), NASA poster.