Large Docking Adapter

The future of docking in space

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The future of space exploration is larger crewed vehicles and space stations. The Large Docking Adapter, with its open-sourced interface, will standardize large spacecraft compatibility.

The future of space exploration is larger crewed vehicles and space stations. The Large Docking Adapter, with its open-sourced interface, will standardize large spacecraft compatibility.

Adapter
Features

Supports 2 to 20+ modules
Module-to-module connection
Compatible with IDSS approach rates and loads
Large crewed vehicle-to-station docking capability

Launch vehicle separation

Supporting larger payloads with higher mass, providing the required load capability and stiffness

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Systems and technologies

  • Outer diameter:

  • Pressurized opening diameter:

  • Pressurized opening area:

  • Modules:

  • 3.65 m

  • 2.90 m

  • 6.6 m²

  • 20+

Retroreflectors (3)
Latches (3)
Hard-capture powered bolts (12)
petals (3)
Passive actuators (6)
01
02
03
04
05
  1. 01. Retroreflectors (3)
  2. 02. Latches (3)
  3. 03. Petals (3)
  4. 04. Passive actuators (6)
  5. 05. Hard-capture powered bolts (12)

  • Outer diameter:

  • Pressurized opening diameter:

  • Pressurized opening area:

  • Modules:

  • 3.65 m

  • 2.90 m

  • 6.6 m²

  • 20+

Pressurized opening diameter comparison

International Docking Adapter

0.8 m

Common Berthing Mechanism

1.6 m

Large Docking Adapter

2.9 m

Hardware development progress

See the development progress of the Large Docking Adapter.

Development phases

phase 1
Phase 2
phase 3
PHASE 4
phase 1

Draft interface standard release

First design and development hardware available for partners
phase 2

Docking system testing at Vast

First standard development meetings
phase 3

Standard development (ongoing)

Vast hardware development and testing
Phase 4

Launch

Vast flies modules equipped with the Large Docking Adapter
First design and development hardware available for partners
First standard development meetings
Vast hardware development and testing
Vast flies modules equipped with the Large Docking Adapter

Join the future of docking

Purchase the adapter

Contact us

Interface design user guide

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