The Chinese Docking Mechanism is a
spacecraft docking mechanism
Docking and berthing of spacecraft is the joining of two space vehicles. This connection can be temporary, or partially permanent such as for space station modules.
''Docking'' specifically refers to joining of two separate free-flying space ...
based on the
Androgynous Peripheral Attach System (APAS).
There have been contradicting reports by the Chinese on its compatibility with APAS. It is used by
Shenzhou spacecraft, beginning with an uncrewed
Shenzhou 8, to dock to
Tiangong-1. Subsequent crewed missions docked with the Tiangong-1,
Tiangong-2 and the
Tiangong space station. Similar docking mechanism was also introduced to the
Tianzhou cargo spacecraft.
Tianzhou 1
Tianzhou 1 () was the debut mission of the Tianzhou-class unmanned cargo spacecraft. It was developed as part of the manned space program of China. Tianzhou means "heavenly vessel" in Chinese. On 20 April 2017, Tianzhou 1 was launched by rocke ...
was the first cargo spacecraft which docked with the Tiangong-2. It has a circular transfer passage that has a diameter of . The androgynous variant has a mass of 310 kg and the non-androgynous variant has a mass of 200 kg.
See also
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Docking and berthing of spacecraft
Docking and berthing of spacecraft is the joining of two space vehicles. This connection can be temporary, or partially permanent such as for space station modules.
''Docking'' specifically refers to joining of two separate free-flying space ...
*
International Docking System Standard
The International Docking System Standard (IDSS) is an international standard for spacecraft docking adapters. It was created by the International Space Station Multilateral Coordination Board, on behalf of the International Space Station partne ...
References
Space program of the People's Republic of China
Spacecraft docking systems
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