Chapter 7 Testing of Docking Devices Test Units for Earth Testing 7.1. Problems, Types of Testing The organization and equipment for testing docking devices are based on the experience of testing and monitoring the mechanisms and devices of space equipment, and, primarily, electromechanical devices. A number of these tests are common to all types of mechanisms (vibration and vacuum testing, etc.). Some are specific only to docking devices (reproduction of impacts, the linkage process, etc.). All of the tests to which the docking device is subjected in various stages of its creation can be divided into autonomous and integrated tests. Autonomous tests are: 1) monitoring tests; 2) debugging; 3) qualification testing; 4) acceptance testing. Integrated testing is done on the spacecraft: 1) on Earth (in monitoring and testing stations and at test sites), and in integrated test units; 2) in flight (flight testing). These types of testing are basic. It should be noted that depending on the properties of construction, the degree of innovation, and other factors, individual types of testing may not be done. Docking assemblies are subjected to monitoring; afterwards they are debugged and various other types of testing are done. These tests are the analog of the acceptance tests of flying or static assemblies. Debugging includes the testing of docking assemblies, individual units and the docking system as a whole, as well as experiments on a number of integrated test units, for example, on an integrated dynamic test unit (see section 7.7). Tn debugging, basic forms of testing are done which simulate the conditions of preparation and portions of flight on the rocket booster (operation, effect of overloads, vibrations, etc.); the effect of space conditions (vacuum, radiation, heating and cooling, etc.); separate operations are done, as well as tasks as a whole, considering the scatter of initial conditions of docking and changes in the ambient environment. Usually the results of testing bring about modifications and changes in the construction.
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