CPC B64G 1/646 (2013.01) [F16B 7/042 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |
1. A berthing system for a visiting spacecraft, the berthing system comprising:
a tunnel having a first end configured to attach to the visiting spacecraft, and a second end that includes an interface surface that defines a hard capture mating plane for mating with a docking system of a target spacecraft;
hooks disposed circumferentially on the interface surface of the tunnel;
one or more pressure seals disposed on the interface surface;
spring-loaded guide petals spaced around an inner peripheral surface of the tunnel, wherein the spring-loaded guide petals project in an axial direction beyond the interface surface and point radially inward; and
capture latches spaced around the inner peripheral surface of the tunnel, and configured to engage mechanical latch strikers on the docking system of the target spacecraft;
wherein the spring-loaded guide petals define a soft capture mating plane axially outward from the hard capture mating plane;
wherein the spring-loaded guide petals are configured to independently slide in the axial direction.
|