METHOD OF SPACESHIP DOCKING AND DEVICE TO THIS END Russian patent published in 2011 - IPC B64G1/64 

FIELD: transport.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to spaceship docking systems and may be used in whatever situations. Proposed method consists in the following. Prior to docking, passive spaceship release engagement device, for example, inflated target with high-strength screen and light signaling. Active spaceship approaching passive spaceship launches rocket fastened to active spaceship by rope provided with power absorbing elements. Said rocket has homing head and extending catchers to engage with said screen. Rocket is guided to light signals of said catcher and, rocket being engaged with said catcher, rope tension is adjusted to magnitude not exceeding limit value. Rope released completely, power-absorbing elements made on said rope (for example, folds locked by collapsible device) start opening. Rope goes on extending with tension not exceeding limit value. In coupled flight, active and passive rockets rotation about coupling mass center is eliminated. With rockets aligned, passive rocket is pulled to active rocket for them to be docked. Proposed device comprises above mentioned elements.

EFFECT: higher efficiency and reliability.

3 cl, 12 dwg