Contents

Apollo Docking Mechanism

Docking Mechanism

Apollo drogue and probe assemblies. The docking ring is part of the Apollo Command Module.
Module statistics
Docked	19 times
Diameter	32 inches (81 cm)

The docking mechanism of the Apollo was a "probe and drogue" system designed to allow the Apollo Command/Service Module (CSM) to dock with the Apollo Lunar Module. The same system was later used for the Skylab 2, Skylab 3 and Skylab 4 CSMs to dock with the Skylab space station, and the Apollo–Soyuz Test Project CSM to dock with a Docking Module adapter which allowed docking with the Soyuz 19 spacecraft. There were 12 hard latches.^{[1] [2][3]}

The Apollo system differed from the Gemini Docking Mechanism in that after locking, the probe and drogue mechanism could be manually removed to allow access between the two docked craft. Ideas from this system were instrumental in creating later systems, like those used in the Space Shuttle, the International Space Station, and others.^[4]

The Apollo docking system was used successfully in thirteen missions in Earth and lunar orbits between 1969 and 1975. The only serious problems were experienced on Apollo 14 and Skylab 2, when the probe systems failed to capture the drogue receptacles during repeated docking attempts. Successful docking was eventually accomplished in both missions.^[5]

See also[edit]

• Space rendezvous
• Space Race
• Soyuz Kontakt docking
• List of crewed lunar lander designs

References[edit]

External links[edit]

• Apollo–Soyuz Test Project
• NTRS.NASA

This article related to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

This article about one or more spacecraft of the United States is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.