Low Impact Docking System

The Low Impact Docking System (LIDS) is the space vehicle mating system designed by NASA for the next generation of space exploration vehicles included in Project Constellation. The mechanism is covered by Cite patent|US|6354540, titled "Androgynous, Reconfigurable Closed Loop Feedback Controlled Low Impact Docking System With Load Sensing Electromagnetic Capture Ring."

It was designed by Monty Carroll, Ray Morales, Thang Le and James Lewis for the Advanced Docking Berthing System (ADBS) Project at the Johnson Space Center. The group built on eight years of work on the design of a mating device for the now-cancelled X-38 Crew Return Vehicle project.

In form and function the LIDS bears some resemblance to the Androgynous Peripheral Attach System (APAS-89) mechanism already in use on the International Space Station, but is not compatible with it. The LIDS is smaller, lighter and requires less contact force to engage its docking mechanisms than the APAS-89.

Given the incompatibility, some or all of the current attach systems in the ISS would have to be changed for the planned dockings between the Orion and the ISS to occur.

Bigelow Aerospace has expressed interest in licensing the LIDS technology from NASA. [cite web
last = USA
first = GPO
title = Federal Register
url=http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate.cgi?WAISdocID=56605919088+1+0+0&WAISaction=retrieve ]

References

*James L. Lewis, [http://universityaffairs.jsc.nasa.gov/PDF/Eng-3.pdf Advanced Docking Berthing System] . NASA technical publication. Johnson Space Center.
*James L. Lewis, Monty B. Carroll. [http://www.islandone.org/ISDC/ISDC1999_Houston/ConferenceMisc-DaleAmonPapers/ISDC99-Abstracts_CD/AIAA%20Abstracts/Prototype%20Low%20Impact%20Docking%20System.pdf Prototype Low Impact Docking System] . NASA technical publication.Johnson Space Center.