ABOUT KURS DOCKING SYSTEM
KURS is the Russian automatic radar docking system used by Soyuz and Progress vehicles to rendezvous and dock with space stations. It uses phased-array antennas on both the chaser and target to compute relative range, range-rate, and angular offsets. KURS has operated since the Mir era and remains the primary Soyuz docking system on the ISS.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Category | Docking |
| Subcategory | Automatic Docking Radar |
| Manufacturer | NII TP (Russia) |
| Mass | 85 kg |
| Power | 200 W |
| Dimensions | Multiple antennas distributed on vehicle |
| Redundancy | KURS-A (auto) + TORU (manual backup) |
| Standard | Russian docking standard |
| Status | Active |
| First Use | March 15, 1986 |
OPERATING PRINCIPLE
Phased-array radar antennas on chaser (KURS-A) and target (KURS-P) measure range (40 km to contact), range-rate, and line-of-sight angles for closed-loop automated approach
KEY SPECIFICATIONS
| range_km | 0-200 |
| frequency | Ku-band |
| accuracy_m | 0.1 at close range |
| backup | TORU teleoperator |
MASS CONVERSIONS
| Kilograms | 85.0 kg |
| Pounds | 187.4 lbs |
VEHICLES USING KURS DOCKING SYSTEM (3)