RIPI has started building a prototype of a new radio mutual measurements system with a working title - Signal Parameters Meter (SPM).

The principal difference between the new system and its predecessors lies in the place of its installation: the new system is to be mounted inside the unpressurized compartment unlike the old one. This equipment is being built using domestic electronic components of high radiation resistance. The system differs in enhanced accuracy in measuring motion parameters, lower mass, decrease in overall dimensions, and energy consumption compared to the currently used KURS-N system.

The SPM is expected to be operated primarily for docking promising Russian manned space vehicles. The new docking system will be able to operate both under near-Earth orbital flight conditions, and during Moon-orbiting flights. In addition, multi-purpose measuring instrumentation related to conducting rendezvous and docking manoeuvres is currently also being developed at our Institute.

Sergey Medvedev, the chief designer for mutual measurement systems, described the main features and priorities of the new system:

- First of all, the SMP equipment is designed to operate in Lunar orbits, and, therefore, must have increased radiation resistance to ensure functioning throughout the entire period of operation. The requirements for other influencing factors, including mechanics, are significantly higher, so the design of the system was fundamentally changed and now it is represented by a set of PSBs, reinforced in frames. The SMP equipment is planned to be installed not in the pressurized, but inside the instrument compartment, which has imposed the new requirements both for maintaining the thermal regime and for the electronic components used. The appearance of the old docking system has changed considerably: only operating wavelength range preserved from it. An integrated information channel appeared, which made it possible to halve the number of transmitting and receiving devices. As a result, the mass and dimensions of the new system were significantly reduced and the accuracy of measuring motion parameters were increased, especially in terms of radial velocity: now it stands at several mm/sec. Afterwards, the SPM equipment can also be used at orbital stations.

Concurrently, the work is being carried out to create an optical system for measuring parameters of the relative motion of spacecraft. The system will allow searching, rendezvous, and docking both with cooperated and non-cooperated space vehicles, placed in near-Earth orbits and beyond them. Its operation is especially relevant now pursuing solutions to address problems related to repair and refueling spacecraft in space, to limit the amount of space debris produced. To date, our specialists have come up with the appearance of the system, carried out math modeling of key algorithms, tested laboratory mock-ups and the working group is now developing a functional mock-up.

RIPI possesses a unique and considerable experience of developing, manufacturing and operating the radio system for mutual measurement of the motion parameters, needed to ensure search, rendezvous, and docking of spacecraft. The KURS system currently provides measurements during the automated docking of spacecraft with the ISS.

RIPI Press Service