Yeah, they could just slap an PMA+IDA port on Starship like the ISS has, but that’s just a hole with data and power ports. Those are pretty easy compared to fuel transfer, and they’re specifically NOT suited to lateral forces. It also seems a bit unfit-for-purpose to make a big and heavy crew-transfer dock when you don’t have to.
True, an IDA port is not well suited for fuel transfer. I was thinking more of the GNC software experience SpaceX have for rendezvous and docking in general. I suspect the ports themselves will look more like the ship and booster quick disconnects we see at the launch site.
They do have some experience in this area though. Dragon can autonomously dock to the ISS.
Yeah, they could just slap an PMA+IDA port on Starship like the ISS has, but that’s just a hole with data and power ports. Those are pretty easy compared to fuel transfer, and they’re specifically NOT suited to lateral forces. It also seems a bit unfit-for-purpose to make a big and heavy crew-transfer dock when you don’t have to.
True, an IDA port is not well suited for fuel transfer. I was thinking more of the GNC software experience SpaceX have for rendezvous and docking in general. I suspect the ports themselves will look more like the ship and booster quick disconnects we see at the launch site.