Sierra Space selects Japanese Passive Docking System for its Commercial Space Station
Tokyo, Japan - IHI Aerospace Co., Ltd. (hereinafter IHI Aerospace) will provide a passive docking system in a collaboration with Kanematsu Corporation (hereinafter Kanematsu) to Sierra Space Corporation (hereinafter Sierra Space), for Sierra Space’s space station technology [1] . The passive docking system is an essential component that enables reliable and safe docking between spacecraft, such as Dream Chaser® [2] , and a commercial space station. The passive docking system developed by IHI Aerospace complies with the International Docking System Standard (IDSS) [3] , and it is developed to realize simple, versatile, and highly reliable docking in space. The companies have completed the preliminary design review and are planning to collaborate toward the critical design. Since 2021, IHI Aerospace has been working with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency on the development of an IDSS compliant active docking system. In the future, both active and passive do...