Common Berthing Mechanism
Encyclopedia
The common berthing mechanism (CBM) is a berthing mechanism
used to connect all non-Russian pressurized modules of the International Space Station
.
A CBM consists of two components: the active common berthing mechanism (ACBM) and the passive common berthing mechanism (PCBM). Once connected, the two sides of the CBM form a pressure tight seal. The CBM also features a hatch, which can be opened to reveal a 50 inch (127 cm) diameter passage for crew/cargo transfer. Since this passage is large enough to allow International Standard Payload Racks to fit, payloads can be pre-configured in racks and transported to the station aboard the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module
s, which use CBM ports. Once the hatches have been opened, electrical, data, and fluid lines can be manually connected through the CBM vestibule by the crew.
The first modules in space using the CBM were Unity and the Pressurized Mating Adapter
s PMA-1 and PMA-2, with all three being launched attached together aboard Endeavour. The first berthing in space using the CBM was the connecting of the Z1 truss to Unity on the International Space Station.
The CBM is to be used as a berthing mechanism for the unmanned Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle
(HTV). Future support spacecraft such as the Cygnus
resupply vehicle, and the SpaceX Dragon capsule are also designed to connect using a CBM. These spacecraft will feature a PCBM, and will be berthed to one of the station's open ACBMs using the station's robot arm.
Each CBM compatible module that connects to previously launched modules requires a PCBM to connect to an ACBM. The three ISS connecting nodes feature four radial ACBM ports. Unity features two ACBM on the axial side, while Harmony and Tranquility feature a PCBM on one axial side and an ACBM on the other axial side. The Destiny laboratory and the Japanese Pressurised Module both feature one PCBM and one ACBM.
Spacecraft docking and berthing mechanism
Spacecraft docking and berthing mechanisms are used to join two spacecraft. Docking specifically refers to the joining or coming together of two separate free flying space vehicles....
used to connect all non-Russian pressurized modules of the International Space Station
International Space Station
The International Space Station is a habitable, artificial satellite in low Earth orbit. The ISS follows the Salyut, Almaz, Cosmos, Skylab, and Mir space stations, as the 11th space station launched, not including the Genesis I and II prototypes...
.
A CBM consists of two components: the active common berthing mechanism (ACBM) and the passive common berthing mechanism (PCBM). Once connected, the two sides of the CBM form a pressure tight seal. The CBM also features a hatch, which can be opened to reveal a 50 inch (127 cm) diameter passage for crew/cargo transfer. Since this passage is large enough to allow International Standard Payload Racks to fit, payloads can be pre-configured in racks and transported to the station aboard the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module
Multi-Purpose Logistics Module
A Multi-Purpose Logistics Module is a large pressurized container used on Space Shuttle missions to transfer cargo to and from the International Space Station . An MPLM was carried in the cargo bay of a Shuttle and berthed to the Unity or Harmony modules on the ISS. From there, supplies were...
s, which use CBM ports. Once the hatches have been opened, electrical, data, and fluid lines can be manually connected through the CBM vestibule by the crew.
The first modules in space using the CBM were Unity and the Pressurized Mating Adapter
Pressurized Mating Adapter
The International Space Station uses three Pressurized Mating Adapters to interconnect spacecraft and modules with different docking mechanisms. The first two PMAs were launched with the Unity module in 1998 aboard STS-88...
s PMA-1 and PMA-2, with all three being launched attached together aboard Endeavour. The first berthing in space using the CBM was the connecting of the Z1 truss to Unity on the International Space Station.
The CBM is to be used as a berthing mechanism for the unmanned Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle
H-II Transfer Vehicle
The H-II Transfer Vehicle , called , is an unmanned resupply spacecraft used to resupply the Kibō Japanese Experiment Module and the International Space Station . The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency has been working on the design since the early 1990s. The first mission, HTV-1, was originally...
(HTV). Future support spacecraft such as the Cygnus
Cygnus spacecraft
The Cygnus spacecraft is an unmanned resupply spacecraft being developed by Orbital Sciences Corporation and Thales Alenia Space as part of NASA's COTS project. It is designed to transport supplies to the International Space Station after the retirement of the Space Shuttle...
resupply vehicle, and the SpaceX Dragon capsule are also designed to connect using a CBM. These spacecraft will feature a PCBM, and will be berthed to one of the station's open ACBMs using the station's robot arm.
Each CBM compatible module that connects to previously launched modules requires a PCBM to connect to an ACBM. The three ISS connecting nodes feature four radial ACBM ports. Unity features two ACBM on the axial side, while Harmony and Tranquility feature a PCBM on one axial side and an ACBM on the other axial side. The Destiny laboratory and the Japanese Pressurised Module both feature one PCBM and one ACBM.
See also
- Comparison of spacecraft docking and berthing mechanismsSpacecraft docking and berthing mechanismSpacecraft docking and berthing mechanisms are used to join two spacecraft. Docking specifically refers to the joining or coming together of two separate free flying space vehicles....