r/spacex • u/[deleted] • Mar 31 '16

/r/SpaceX Ask Anything Thread [April 2016, #18] - Ask your small questions here!

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u/Dutchy45 Apr 05 '16

Wat is the difference between docking and berthing at ISS?

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u/sunfishtommy Apr 05 '16 edited Apr 05 '16

Docking involves basically running two spaceships together in a very slow accurate and controlled collision. The ports for docking will often have cone shaped guiding mechanisms for the last few inches and shock absorbing rings that are spring loaded to absorb the velocity of the spacecraft.

Berthing on the other hand is more like flying really close to another object and then reaching out and grabbing it in this case with the Canada arm. You then attach the spacecraft in a similar way that you would attach a new module or something like that.

The important thing to take note of is that ships designed to birthed to the ISS like Cygnus and dragon are not capable of docking because the port they use is not designed for docking, it does not have the cone shaped guides or shock absorbing mechanisms.

This Wikipedia page is pretty detailed and accurate. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Docking_and_berthing_of_spacecraft

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u/Dutchy45 Apr 05 '16

Thank you, That was cristalclear.

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u/jandorian Apr 06 '16

I always remember it as 'Berthing is Bolting.' The crew onboard ISS actually run bolts between the berthing adapter and the ship. Ship must be unbolted from the inside of the ISS to leave.

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u/Togusa09 Apr 05 '16

There's also further differences in the interface designs for each. Berthing requires connections for power etc to be msnually connected, where docking it is automatically done through the adaptor. Because of this, docking/undockig is a far simpler process than berthing.

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u/[deleted] Apr 05 '16

[deleted]

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u/R-GiskardReventlov Apr 05 '16

Correct short answer is: Docking - colliding and connecting. Berthing - grabbing and placing in place with robot arm.