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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.

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.

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.

See also

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

References

1. Ezell 1988, Table 2-37: "Apollo 9 Characteristics".
2. "NASA, The Rendezvous That Was Almost Missed:Lunar Orbit Rendezvous and the Apollo Program, December 1992". Archived from the original on December 23, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
3. NASA, The Apollo Flight Journal, Lunar Orbit Rendezvous, Frank O'Brien
4. Two Become One: How the Apollo Spacecraft Stuck Together, January 29, 2016
5. NASA, NASA History, Docking and Transfer

External links

• Apollo–Soyuz Test Project
• NTRS.NASA

• Spaceflight

v t e Docking and berthing of spacecraft
Space rendezvous
	Adapters	International Docking Adapter (IDA) Pressurized Mating Adapter (PMA)
	Mechanisms	APAS Apollo Chinese Docking Mechanism Common Berthing Mechanism FREND docking mechanism Gemini IDSS IBDM NDS Soyuz Kontakt SSVP USIS
	Navigation systems	Canadarm Canadarm2 Igla Kurs Lyappa TORU
Category:Spacecraft docking systems

v t e Apollo program hardware
Launch vehicles	Little Joe II Saturn I Saturn IB Saturn V
Launch vehicle components	F-1 engine J-2 engine Instrument unit Launch Vehicle Digital Computer
Spacecraft	Apollo Apollo command module Columbia Apollo service module Apollo Lunar Module Eagle
Spacecraft components	Apollo Abort Guidance System Apollo Docking Mechanism Apollo Guidance Computer Lunar Sounder Experiment Primary guidance, navigation, and control system Apollo Telescope Mount Apollo TV camera Descent propulsion system Ascent propulsion system Scimitar antenna
Space suits	Apollo/Skylab A7L Beta cloth Thermal Micrometeoroid Garment
Lunar surface equipment	Portable Life Support System Lunar Roving Vehicle Lunar Laser Ranging experiment list of retroreflectors Solar Wind Composition Experiment Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package Active Seismic Experiment Apollo 12 Passive Seismic Experiment Apollo 14 Passive Seismic Experiment Charged Particle Lunar Environment Experiment Lunar Ejecta and Meteorites Experiment Solar Wind Spectrometer Experiment Modular Equipment Transporter Lunar Seismic Profiling Experiment Lunar Surface Gravimeter Lunar Surface Magnetometer Lunar Traverse Gravimeter Cold Cathode Gauge Experiment Heat Flow Experiment Suprathermal Ion Detector Experiment
Ground support	Mobile Launcher Launch Umbilical Tower Crawler-transporter Lunar Landing Research Vehicle Mobile quarantine facility
Ceremonial	Lunar plaque Lunar Flag Assembly Fallen Astronaut Apollo 11 goodwill messages
Related	Lunar escape systems Rendezvous Docking Simulator Moon Museum
Category:Apollo program hardware

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