Docking alignment system.

摘要

A docking target (12) for a spacecraft comprises a pedestal (14) on the end of which is marked perpendicular lines (18,19) and further perpendicular lines marked on the hull (10) of the spacecraft. During a docking maneouvre, an observer in a chaser spacecraft has a parallax cue between the elevated target and its base to aid alignment. The observer uses a viewing system having a reticle and a variable magnification capability to optimise accuracy.