International Berthing and Docking Mechanism

IBDM Evolved Engineering Development Unit

The International Berthing and Docking Mechanism (IBDM) is the European androgynous low impact docking mechanism that is capable of docking and berthing large and small spacecraft. The development of the IBDM is under ESA contract with QinetiQ Space^[1] as prime contractor.^[2]

The docking mechanism comprises a capture mechanism, called the Soft Capture Mechanism (SCS), and a structural mating system called the Hard Mating System (HMS).

The HMS uses structural hook mechanisms to close the sealed mated interface. QinetiQ Space has develloped several generations of latches and hooks to come to the final hook design.^[3]

The SCS utilizes contact force sensing, active platform control, and mechanical latches to achieve soft capture.^[4] The IBDM is designed to be compatible with the International Docking System Standard^[5] (IDSS) and is hence compatible with the future ISS International Docking Adapter (IDA) on the US side of the ISS.

The overall design goal of the IBDM is to provide a capability for low impact docking in order to reduce or eliminate the need for impact energy to achieve spacecraft interface alignment and capture. A low impact mechanism greatly reduces the contact forces during mating and as a result alleviates the large loads that the structure is required to withstand. Hence the mechanism is lighter than other docking systems that are known today. The IBDM provides both docking and berthing capability.

The American company Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) is developing the Dream Chaser, which is a small reusable spacecraft that is a candidate to transport astronauts and/or crew to the ISS. The European Space Agency has started a cooperation with SNC to potentially provide the IBDM for attaching this new vehicle to the ISS in the future.^[6]

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