Alignment, capture and mate (ACM) docking system development for space exploration

This paper describes the origin and development status of the alignment, capture and mate (ACM) docking system being develop by Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company (LMSSC) in Denver, Colorado. The ACM is an androgynous, automated docking system with embedded final approach guidance sensors being developed to support in-space assembly operations for the NASA space exploration initiative. The concept for the docking system is based on lessons learned from other docking systems, and from a common sense approach to providing a common, reliable system for assembling future elements of the NASA space exploration vision. This paper presents how the ACM concept originated, a description of the docking system, progress to date and future plans for the development program