How the NASA Docking System Works

The Boeing Starliner utilises the "NASA Docking System" developed by Boeing to dock to the International Space Station's IDAs (International Docking Adapters) that are built to the International Docking System Standard. Let's take a look at the details of how this system works, as it's about to become a key part of ISS operations with the commercial crew program kicking off.
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#Starliner

[@SimplySpace]

Responses to some FAQs: 1) Why Boeing and not SpaceX? I want to clarify that the NASA docking system is NOT the SpaceX docking system, they are two different designs built to the IDS standard making them compatible with the International Docking Adapters (IDAs) on the space station. However, as far as what the video shows they share the same general anatomy as dictated by the IDS standard. The reason I chose to cover the NDS is simple, the SpaceX system doesn't have publicly available technical overview documents like those I read for the NDS. 2) Isn't the NDS androgynous? This block 1 NDS is not androgynous. However, androgynous capability is reserved for future block iterations of the NDS. 3) But didn't RSC Energia build this? I've seen a lot of people asserting that the NDS has been developed/built by the Russian company RSC Energia. Their involvement was simply with the construction of some of the IDAs components since the IDAs are adapting from Energia's APAS docking ports already on the station. Hey everyone! Unfortunately, there was an anomaly with Starliner's orbital insertion burn during its inaugural test flight. Despite cancelling the Space Station docking, Starliner returned to Earth safely. We'll have to wait until the next Starliner mission to see the NASA Docking System in action. BUT!... You can have a go at flying Starliner yourself, which has been added to the most recent update of my game "Manual Docking" available on iOS and Android.

[@Robbie6298]

Or you can watch the Space X commercial crew missions they have done it twice.

[@WatcherSCP]

This is Russian technology. Not NASA. NOT a Boeing. On the inside of the Docking unit is a plate with the logo of the Russian corporation "Energia" manufacturing spare parts for space rockets.

[@bearlemley]

Simply Space You might be waiting a while for starliner to attempt reaching orbit again. But you can review Crew Dragon Demo 1 that docked last year? Why didn’t you mention that ? And then of course crew Dragon Demo 2 just docked with 2 SpaceX/NASA astronauts aboard. Both of these used the small “NASA” adapter mechanism you feature in your video and claim one has to wait to be seen in action.

[@HungryGuyStories]

They should have made this docking system unisexual so that any two spacecraft can dock together. The design was so close to that already. They'll regret not making it so in about100 years from now when it's the universal standard that's impossible to change...

[@Ergzay]

SpaceX uses the same docking adapter. Why the obsession with Boeing?

[@ReflectiveLayerFilm]

Most detailed video of docking I've ever watched. Good job.

[@AZOffRoadster]

@@super_ficial You forgot the /s at the end. Someone might think you're serious.

[@alphagt62]

Super Ficial why don’t you just buy a telescope and see for yourself? You don’t need the government’s permission to examine reality and see that astronomy is real, and your disbelief doesn’t prove anything.

[@ThePotato_]

@@super_ficial even if you're right how does it effect me?

[@DistracticusPrime]

@@super_ficial While I don't subscribe, I just want to commend your courage for writing publicly while in the minority.

[@ephraim9976]

Crew Dragon just docked!

[@Totallyprogolfer]

Crew 1 docked

[@ryanhamstra49]

Crew 2 docked

[@Bananappleboy]

Crew 3 docked

[@ManishKashi]

Crew 7 docked

[@zoltanposfai3451]

Crew 8 docked

[@cianmansfield]

This is such a high-quality video and was exactly the kind of material I was looking for to learn about the docking procedure. You deserve 100x the sub count you currently have. Keep up the great work.

[@justinscarrow7223]

Absolutely. I have been looking for something like this for months. Great work!

[@aubtinthepro]

Agreed

[@reginaldcrudstump383]

Makes you realise the incredible amount of engineering that goes into every aspect of space flight. Great video.

[@kleinhaas137]

@@super_ficial Spoken like someone who has no idea about physics etc., how about actually learning stuff instead of blindly believing your conspiracy mentors? I work in a space-related company and everything makes perfect sense once you actually understand it. It's your choice, don't fill your head with that conspiracy crap, you can do better

[@chrisakaschulbus4903]

@@kleinhaas137 the reason most of the times i actually copy and paste the comment between quotes is to preserve the context if someone deletes their comment...

[@Kam714]

Dr. Brand: Cooper, what are you doing? Cooper: Docking

[@esphilee]

Dogging..... It’s necessary.

[@DocMicrowave]

@@esphilee Queue the epic OST.

[@YBSTV_Official]

@@DocMicrowave CMON TARS

[@DocMicrowave]

@@YBSTV_Official Now for our next trick!

[@JavierAlbinarrate]

5:36 "compressing the elastomeric seal" => "pushing the big rubber O ring" :)

[@DocMicrowave]

True, but you loose something in the translation. ie. Not as cool sounding.

[@technocracy90]

@@DocMicrowave what an important feature

[@BobfromSydney]

I actually feel humbled watching this video and thinking about how this system has been designed by some of the most intelligent engineers in the world to be safe, robust, reliable, lightweight, repairable, flexible, temperature extreme resistant, radiation resistant, G-force and shock resistant, vacuum resistant and meet dozens of other design constraints whilst also being simple rather than complex so that any country can use the specifications to build a matching spacecraft docking mechanism that can interface with NASA's. The symmetry of the design and the functional nature of the two stage (soft/hard) docking process is also very admirable.

[@Argentvs]

Yes, but remember is international = Russian engineers put their docking tech on it and we got the best of the best 2 space programs of the planet.

[@1959Edsel]

I find something oddly charming about the low polygon count in the animation. Makes me think of the video for Money For Nothing by Dire Straits. Look at them yo-yos, that's the way you do it.

[@1MinuteFlipDoc]

simple and effective!

[@alphagt62]

“Money for nothin’, and Chicks for free”, it’s the way to go!

[@privateerburrows]

Ahhh, thanks for explaining this. I was quite familiar with the shape of these docks, as I model the system in 3D twice; but my model was for looks only; it was not functional, and I had no idea what all those little parts were, or how they worked. So good to know, finally!

[@Arms1234]

Who's here after Crew Dragon Demo-2 docked into ISS?

[@ryanhamstra49]

Who’s here after crew dragon mission 2 docked to iss and starliner got postponed again?

[@flxdg5989]

As always, a great video! The visualization is super helpful in understanding how it works.

[@AngelLestat2]

I never understood how this worked from other docking mechanism guides, now I can really understand thanks to your great animations. thanks

[@MartianWolf]

Truly an excellent video, personally one of my favorites of yours! The animation, topic, explanation, you did an amazing job!

[@suweno16]

@Martian Wolf Nice to see you still around KZbin

[@MartianWolf]

Suweno16 Final exams can eat up a lot of time!

[@eXpG_Harlock]

Well done! This is by far the most detailed and most understandable video of docking i have ever seen on YT so far. Again very good Job

[@capapofa]

THAT OUTRO IS SO GENIUS!

[@HappyBeezerStudios]

One of the great things about the design is how symmetrical it is. Everything is mirrored, so any two of the docking port can get together and latch through the hard capture.

[@IbnBahtuta]

I've watched this so many times that when I watch the ISS live docking I have this running in the background of my mind. ;-)

[@kuiper921]

This is awesome, the shuttle doors at the end opening and then the next two videos being shown was the icing on the cake!

[@CalMariner]

Great video! Exactly what I was looking for!

[@tomschmidt381]

Great explanation of how the docking system works.

[@actualjrod8356]

Thanks so much for this video. I just watched Crew Dragon attach to the ISS on its first historic docking, and this is the best video I have found on how the IDA system works!

[@srikantpanigrahi4456]

excellently demonstrated.... easy to learn

[@samountryninja]

This is exactly the video I was looking for! Excellent explanation. I tried to find out how spacex dragon actually docked to the ISS and couldn't find anything this detailed.

[@craigcorson3036]

Nice! I always wondered about the specifics of the docking procedure. It all makes sense now.

[@davidquinn3890]

This is great, you deserve more subs. Great video

[@growinggravity1842]

Amaizing! Thanks you for explaining it so well.

[@POLY_English]

Great video as always ! Very technical, I learned a lot !

[@anekdoche7055]

supper easy to understand thanks for making this video

[@vasiovasio]

Amazing video! Thank you!

[@doxielain2231]

I've always wondered. Thank you.

[@johnb4694]

Super cool and informative, thanks!

[@albertbatfinder5240]

You can be proud of these graphics, sir! Well done. Good explanation, and not a word wasted. You set a fine example for all educational KZbinrs. Subscribed!

[@TheRealBlackNet]

thx exactly the info needed and nice visualised.

[@SpecialEDy]

Excellent, subscribed +

[@Alobas1984]

This needs way more views!

[@jupiter909]

Thanks for this informative video on some of the details of this system, much appreciated!

[@regolith1350]

This video is phenomenal. Needs way more views.

[@Freak80MC]

I find it a tad bit funny this animation uses the spacecraft that both, wasn't the first to fly humans from the US (out of both commercial options), and also wasn't the first to even dock to the space station. But by using it as the reference model makes it sorta feel like the "default" when it's anything but. But I still do appreciate the video, I'm a fan of rocketry but I don't think I have ever actually found satisfying imagery of how docking *actually* works so this is much appreciated

[@SimplySpace]

I decided to use Starliner since OFT-1 was days from launch when I uploaded. SpaceX technically doesn't use the "NASA docking system" they use the "SpaceX docking system" built to the same IDS standard. I wasn't able to find any open information on the SpaceX system like I was with the NDS.

[@jansenart0]

This answered like 10 questions I had. Thanks!

[@jonnyp223]

Awesome video. Thanks!

[@warhawkme6344]

Much more complicated the one would think. TY for the explanation!!

[@SimplySpace]

Not a problem, I can't wait to see Starliner docking on the next flight.

[@andrew007s]

Fantastic video. Been wondering how it works and you explained it here.

[@capturenorth]

Super well done!

[@husseinbayoun99]

Very informative, thanks!

[@carlito2480]

Exactly what i have been looking for (ever) ... Perfect explanation ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

[@SimplySpace]

Glad it was helpful!

[@TheRubbenn]

What a well executed and detailed explanation of the international docking system. Always wondered how it operates!

[@walterbishop3668]

Thank you, the high quality engineering like this makes me smile

[@ELMS]

That was really clear. Thanks.

[@g-gon8869]

You have cleared all my doubts about docking systems. Thank you. Keep it up. God bless you

[@dbreardon]

Thank you! This was so cool. Appreciate the info in the video.

[@FuzzyHead88]

Wow, great job. I have built a few of these docking systems and am working on the HLS androgynous version and you did a fantastic job explaining how the entire system works.

[@nicholashartmann4525]

Came here to understand what I am seeing when watching a docking sequence. This is so we'll explained thank you.

[@fsj197811]

Cool stuff, thanks for sharing.

[@heyedddie]

Great work thank you. It's so impressive that they have this system today! (only little drawback is that it takes time for the hard capture latches to be driven in and out. In case of emergency the crew can't just quickly hop into the capsule and undock. But at least they can seal the hatch)

[@tonysales3687]

Thanks for the upload and info..i always wondered how the docking system works. now i know. thumbs up.

[@diego33]

amazing, thank you so much! this is everything i need for a project, you saved me :)

[@mannyespinola]

Thank you for this video.

[@slavko321]

Great video, thanks!

[@Vivaswaan.]

Superb explanation, and that coupled with remarkable animation is what I desparately wanted. Finally I learnt something.

[@ArtForSwans]

I actually saw that "lunge" happen during the crew dragon docking! I always wondered what was going on, glad KZbin recommended this to me.

[@lukedogwalker]

Excellent description and graphics. Glorious 80's techno music!

[@johnny_eth]

Great video, well explained, well animated !

[@LukaszPalkaPhoto]

Awesome explanation! :D

[@craigrmeyer]

Thanks very much for this.

[@nlo114]

Clear and simple. Now I know, thank you.

[@FindlayOsborn]

Thanks for the explanation.👍

[@CarlTheAviator]

Thanks for showcasing how they dock :)

[@RachitJain87]

Wow, this is incredible

[@junaidqadirb]

"Underrated" is an understatement. Really, this is some brilliant engineering. Thanks for this awesome video!

[@jonathanrabe3727]

Dude what an awesome video!

[@nathanabbott5324]

awesome video!

[@kevbeer1]

thanks so much. very well done.

[@vfam5860]

Cool, very well done.

[@TOYLGD]

Merci pour tes explications

[@sebastian.su935]

this finally answered my question of how the docking system works :D i was absolutely astonished by how the animations were and how he explained everting so perfectly. BTW im a new viewer for this channel and im very impressed.

[@coleman318]

Thank you!

[@nodularprurigo]

Excellent video

[@Vadrexx]

Wow great info 👌👌

[@morriganshepard]

Solid and detailed video. Thank you for the content! I enjoyed learning about this quite a bit. New sub 🚀

[@joacogonzalez1430]

That is a lot of engineering! Nice video

[@SimplySpace]

It is indeed. Boeing and NASA have some great nitty gritty information out there online about the system if you want to read more about the engineering that went into it.

[@MrMiltonenrique2001]

Too much probably. Soyuz system seems simpler and therefore better to me.

[@sebastianborchers6319]

I´ve been looking for an explanation of the docking procedure for weeks and haven´t found a good explanation. Then suddenly your Video was recommended :D Thank you for this Video, i just subscribed. :)

[@maxq3372]

Explained a lot for me... Thanks.

[@SimplySpace]

You're welcome

[@Danilo85868]

Amazing!

[@ondrejkostiha]

This channel deserves more subscribers. Great video!

[@sergiplanas6427]

Great content!

[@world_production]

Very cool video ! Now i understand how they got rid of the mouvement the Dragon had before finishing docking !

[@MrGonzonator]

Electromagnetic linear actuators for the win!

[@SteelHorseRider74]

this looked much easier in Kerbal Space Program....

[@xenox3281]

I beg to differ

[@pugs6357]

Yeah it just bops together

[@1sewalker]

Thanks for this. I have always wondered how the latches work.

[@123cp8]

This is so cool!!!

[@thirteenthandy]

Excellent video, I had no idea what was happening during docking until now.

[@hellomello4347]

great vid

[@VashGames]

Well explained.

[@nickthompson2023]

I’ve always wondered how the system worked ever since I got into Kerbal Space Program. It’s an insanely complex maneuver, and gives me even more respect to not only the astronauts who performed this, but the engineers and designers who made it all possible.

[@avigdonable]

Nice, thanks

[@seankayll9017]

That was an excellent video. Very well explained and very interesting. Thanks! ps. Subbed.

[@magran17]

Great content. Subscriber earned!

[@andreasbiesenbach9947]

Good Job !

[@kingjames4886]

I just think it's neat that there's an international docking system standard...

[@RS250Squid]

Now we just need to agree on an international electric plug and socket standard! :D

[@genephipps6421]

@@RS250Squid and EV charging standard...and all adopt the metric system while we are at it.

[@scottm4969]

Well done. Thanks!

[@SimplySpace]

Thanks Scott