A high level of reliability is one of the most important requirements made on space equipment. The task is complicated by the fact that one must insure the reliability of a complex comprehensive system which is designed with minimal developed forces and durability. This structure should execute the assigned functions in harsh space conditions, the range of change of which, and whose effect on the elements may not always be ascertained with sufficient confidence. Due to the uniqueness of each space experiment, the high “cost” of failures in flight, one must insure execution of the task, as a rule, on the first try. All of these are reasons for the need for a carefully thought out program of experimental testing. The program of experimental testing should be linked with theoretical analysis of, primarily, reliability. Chapter 2 outlines a method of analysis and a method of insuring reliability based on estimates of the criticality of potential failures for multi-functional systems, including the docking device. This method is effective not only at the development stage, but it also makes it possible to prepare a general program of testing and system use. Tn the preparation for flight testing, a list is compiled of emergency situations which arise when there are failures in the spacecraft systems, and means are devised of getting out of these situations. Methods are also described for insuring the compatibility of docked assemblies and androgyny. The structure of docking devices is examined in more detail in Chapter 3. Requirements on the structure are systemized and detailed. The approach to the planning of basic mechanisms, units, and elements is presented and generalized. Since many of the mechanisms of the docking device operate in open space, measures are described which are taken to insure that the units will work in these conditions. Great attention is given to the planning of the locks of the docking frame, which is, as a rule, the most critical mechanism of this device. A list is presented of the measures which insure the high level of reliability in the execution of all of these functions. Features of structures developed in the USA are described. A great deal of the book is devoted to the dynamics of docking. Tn essence, the problem of shock absorption in the random collision of two structure free in space was posed for the first time in space docking. This required not only the development and use of a whole shock absorption system, but it was also necessary to create methods of mathematical modeling of this process. The bases of these methods are presented in Chapter 4. The analysis used elements of the theory of
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