Kurs (docking system)

Kurs (Russian: Курс) is a radio telemetry system used by the Russian space program.

The Kurs was developed by NII TP (НИИ Точных Приборов) [ [http://www.niitp.ru/directions/02/history/ NII TP history (in Russian)] ] and manufactured by the Kiev Radio Factory [ [http://www.icfcst.kiev.ua/museum/KRZ.html The First Serially Produced Onboard Computer.Kiev Radio Factory ] ] . It is a successor to IGLA system and provides navigation beaconing for Russian space vehicles including Soyuz spacecraft, Progress spacecraft, and provided an automated docking system for all those Russian spacecraft that docked with the Mir space station. [Bryan Burrough, Dragonfly, ISBN 0-06-093269-4, page 65, "Since 1985 all Russian spacecraft had used the Kurs computers to dock automatically with the Mir station" ... "All the Russian commanders had to do was sit by and watch."] [ [http://www.nkau.gov.ua/nsau/catalogNEW.nsf/ByNamesE/4399F14E797336D3C3256BF8004BF97D?OpenDocument&Lang=E National Space Agency of Ukraine / Kurs Research and Production Complex, Public Company ] ] The now Russian-built antenna part of the Kurs system is also part of an independent and redundant docking monitoring system for the European Automated Transfer Vehicle [ [http://www.spaceflight.esa.int/projects/index.cfm?act=default.page&level=11&page=779 Integrated cargo carrier] Figure 2-3: External Equipment on the EPM Front Cone] - it serves as an additional monitoring system but cannot be used to control the approach or docking of ATV in any way. When used for docking, the Soyuz or Progress vehicle broadcasts radar pulses from multiple antennas. The variation in strength between the antennas allows the system to compute relative position, attitude, and approach rate. The system is designed for automatic rendezvous and docking, but in an emergency cosmonauts may take command of the vehicle either locally, or from the International Space Station. [ [http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1991arcr.nasa...34H Soviet automated rendezvous and docking system overview ] ]

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Kurs system became the property of Ukraine and its manufacturer a competitor in the space launch business with RKA. Due to hard-currency problems, Kiev also raised the price of the Kurs system. Consequently, RKA sought to phase out its use in its vehicles. Citation
last = Linenger
first = Jerry
author-link = Jerry Linenger
year = 2001
date = January 1 2001
title = Off the Planet: Surviving Five Perilous Months Aboard the Space Station Mir
place = New York, USA
publisher = McGraw-Hill
isbn = 978-0071372305
url = http://www.amazon.co.uk/Off-Planet-Surviving-Perilous-Station/dp/007137230X/ref=sr_1_1/202-3649698-1866219?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1174383967&sr=8-1]

The Kurs docking system is currently used when docking Progress M and Soyuz TM vehicles to the International Space Station. After docking with the ISS, the crew removes the Kurs system from the Progress or Soyuz, and stores it on board the station. It is later returned to earth on the Space Shuttle and refurbished for reuse on future missions.

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