Kurs (Dockingsystem)

Course (Russian Курс ) is a telemetry system which is used in navigation and control for coupling the Russian Soyuz and Progress spacecraft to space stations..

The system was developed by NII TP (Russian НИИ Точных Приборов ) and built by the Kiev Radio Factory. It is the successor of the Igla approach system and was used for navigation during Ankoppelmanövern the Soyuz and Progress ships from August, 1986 to the Soviet space station Mir. Since the beginning of the construction of the International Space Station it is used there for the coupling of the Progress- M freighter and the Soyuz TMA spacecraft. When you approach process that docks with space ship radar pulses from different antennas send out. The different strength of the signals at the antennas allowed rate to determine the relative position, orientation and proximity rate and to control the spaceship accordingly. The rate system is designed for automated rendezvous and Ankoppelmanöver, but allowed in emergency or an error occurs that couples spaceship either from the station or Soyuz capsules to control these out. After coupling, the system is removed from Progress and Soyuz and redeemed at a later Space Shuttle mission to Earth to be used for other missions can.

Also, the European Automated Transfer Vehicle used for communication during the approach to the ISS, the price system, however, a specific system for position determination and control is employed. The ATV can therefore only automatically dock with the station.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 was the property of the price Ukraine. Its manufacturer is a major competitor of the Russian space agency Roskosmos. Meanwhile, the price of the system was increased. Roskosmos is therefore planning to replace the system by its own.

Swell

  • Soviet and Russian space
  • Aerospace Engineering
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