Kurs (Russian: Курс) is a radio telemetry system used by the Russian space program for automated docking.
Kurs was developed by the Research Institute of Precision Instruments (NII TP, Russian: НИИ Точных Приборов) before 1985[1][2] and manufactured by the Kiev Radio Factory[3].
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History
Kurs was the successor to the IGLA system and today provides navigation beaconing for Russian space vehicles including the Soyuz spacecraft and Progress spacecraft. Kurs provided the automated docking system for all Russian spacecraft that docked with the Mir space station.[4][5] 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.[6]
After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Kurs system became the property of Ukraine; its manufacturer became 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.[7]
ISS
ATV
The now Russian-built antenna part of the Kurs system also serves as an independent and redundant docking monitoring system for the European Automated Transfer Vehicle.[8] It serves as an additional monitoring system but cannot be used to control the approach or docking of ATV in any way.
Reuse
The Kurs docking system is, as of 2009, 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.[citation needed]
See also
References
- ^ NII TP history (in Russian)
- ^ "History". Research Institute of Precision Instruments (NII TP). http://www.niitp.ru/en/directions/02/history/. Retrieved 2008-10-12. "The first automated docking of “Mir” orbital station with “Soyuz-TM-1” spacecraft was implemented on May 23, 1986 by means of the “Kurs” equipment. [..] "Kurs-ММ" docking system for short-range spacecraft has been designed for the upgraded spacecraft under the ISS program [..] “Kurs-M” radio-electronic system for “Kurs-ATV”, for monitoring of rendezvous and docking ATV- spacecraft (European Space Agency) with the ISS on range and radial velocity"
- ^ "The First Serially Produced Onboard Computer". The European Virtual Computer Museum. The History of Development of Computer Science and Technologies in Ukraine. http://www.icfcst.kiev.ua/museum/KRZ.html. Retrieved 2008-10-12. "The production association Kiev Radio Factory aimed its further development toward the production of equipment for space exploration. In 1966 it started the production of a unique onboard complex named Igla for search, mutual orientation, approach and docking of space vechicles. [..] In 1985 the Igla was succeeded by the Kurs, a more advanced and reliable system, which is working now on the Mir-Soyuz-Progress complex."
- ^ Burrough, Bryan (1998). Dragonfly: NASA and the Crisis Aboard Mir. Fourth Estate. p. p.65. ISBN 0-06-093269-4. "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."
- ^ National Space Agency of Ukraine / Kurs Research and Production Complex, Public Company
- ^ Hinman, Elaine M; Bushman, David M. (1991). "Soviet automated rendezvous and docking system overview". NASA Automated Rendezvous and Capture Review.. pp. pp.34–35. http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1991arcr.nasa...34H. Retrieved 2008-10-12. "IGLA system was replaced with the current KURS system. Both systems are radar-based. [..] the docking process can be controlled either from the ground or from the active (docking) spacecraft's onboard computer. [..] Soyuz TM and Progress M Series spacecraft incorporated the KURS. The MIR Complex has both systems installed."
- ^ Linenger, Jerry (January 1, 2001), Off the Planet: Surviving Five Perilous Months Aboard the Space Station Mir, New York, USA: McGraw-Hill, ISBN 978-0071372305, 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
- ^ Integrated cargo carrier Figure 2-3: External Equipment on the EPM Front Cone
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