Docking system of androgynous and peripheral type
Soviet and American space engineers have proceeded with creating compatible means for closing and docking spacecraft. It was decided to make a new advanced docking system of a peripheral and androgynous type. Because of a more complex design of the new-type docking mechanism, a number of technical problems arose. To a great extent, the solution of these problems depends on a chosen concept of the docking mechanism. The report deals with the docking system concept accepted by the Soviet engineers as the basis for further development. The description and structural arrangement of the docking system as a whole, its basic assemblies, and a kinematic scheme of the docking mechanism using a system of differentials are given. It should be noted that the experience that was gained from the development of previous docking systems was used to create a new type of docking system. The main problems to be solved in the course of designing and developing the advanced system are noted.