Abstract

This paper examines the challenge of designing Space Station Freedom berthing mechanisms compatible with U.S. and international partners. The Space Station Freedom berthing mechanisms are critical to all phases of station assembly and operations. The berthing mechanism design must provide common interfaces between the U.S., European, and Japanese pressurized modules and between the Space Station Manned Base and the European Man-Tended Free Flyer. Because of the necessity of providing a common interface between hardware supplied by three intemational partners, a key aspect of the design is arriving at a common set of requirements. The technical challenges involved in arriving at a common berthing mechanism design and the methods used to accomplish the task are described.