TheInternational Docking Adapter (IDA) is aspacecraft docking system adapter developed to convertAPAS-95 to support docking with spacecraft that implement theInternational Docking System Standard. The IDA usesNASA Docking System (NDS) hardware. An IDA was permanently installed on each of theInternational Space Station's (ISS) two openPressurized Mating Adapters (PMAs), both of which are connected to theHarmony module.
Prior to IDA several different docking adapters were designed to fill a similar role but were never implemented.
The APAS to LIDS Adaptor System (ATLAS) was announced in 2008.[1] It would have been placed on the open PMAs and converted APAS-95 to theLow Impact Docking System (LIDS).[1] ATLAS was planned to be launched onOrion's first two missions to the International Space Station.[1] Orion's missions to the ISS were later canceled altogether and its role as a crew transporter was replaced by theCommercial Crew Program.[2]
The Common Docking Adapter (CDA) was announced in 2009.[3] It was planned to be used to convert theCommon Berthing Mechanism to the NASA Docking System.[4] The CDAs would have been attached directly to Node-2 forward and Node-2 zenith.[4] They would have been delivered on the JapaneseHTV cargo spacecraft.[4]
IDA converts APAS-95 to the NASA Docking System (which complies with theInternational Docking System Standard) and allows the transfer of crew, cargo, power and data.[5] IDA has a mass of 526 kg (1,160 lb), a height of 110 cm (42 in) and a width of 160 cm (63 in).[5][6] When including the docking targets, laser retro-reflectors and related systems that are arrayed around the outer perimeters, the outer diameter is about 240 cm (94 in).[5]
Boeing is the primary contractor for the IDAs and the adapters were assembled at theirHouston Product Support Center.[7][8] Parts from subcontractors came from 25 American states and the primary structure is from Russian companyRSC Energia.[5][8]
Each IDA was delivered as unpressurized cargo in the trunk of aSpaceX Dragon 1. When each IDA arrived,Dextre removed it from Dragon's trunk and moved it to about 30 cm (1 ft) from the front of the PMA. It then moved the IDA carefully into position until it was seated on the PMA and held it there.[8] Astronauts during anExtravehicular activity then completed the electrical connections and permanently connect it to the PMA.[8]
IDA-1 was planned to be attached to Node-2's forward PMA.[9] IDA-2 was originally planned to be attached to Node-2's zenith PMA.[9][10] But following the loss of IDA-1, IDA-2 was instead attached to Node-2's forward PMA (PMA-2).[11][12] IDA-3, a replacement for IDA-1, is installed at Node-2's zenith PMA (PMA-3).[11]
In February 2015, IDA-1 had been transported to theKennedy Space Center while IDA-2 was still at Boeing's Houston facility.[8] The systems and targets for IDA-1 were put through about a month of tests at theSpace Station Processing Facility before being loaded for launch.[5]
IDA-1 was lost during the launch failure ofSpaceX CRS-7 on 28 June 2015.[9][10][13]
IDA-2 was launched onSpaceX CRS-9 on 18 July 2016.[14] It was attached and connected to PMA-2 during a spacewalk on 19 August 2016.[12] First docking was achieved with the arrival ofCrew Dragon Demo-1 on 3 March 2019.[15]
IDA-3 was launched on theSpaceX CRS-18 mission in July 2019.[16] IDA-3 is constructed mostly from spare parts to speed construction.[17] It was attached and connected to PMA-3 during a spacewalk on 21 August 2019.[18] First docking was achieved with the arrival ofSpaceX CRS-21 on 7 December 2020.[19]
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