15 April 2026 year company Vast, developer of commercial space stations, announced the Large Docking Adapter (LDA) - the interface, which will allow large modules of space stations and spacecraft to dock with each other, overcoming the limitations of existing interfaces.
According to the CEO of the company, Max Haot, existing International Docking Adapter (IDA), which is used on the International Space Station for Crew Dragon and Starliner, has several problems. The narrow diameter of the adapter makes it difficult to carry heavy loads through the interface, and limited rigidity creates problems when docking large modules or devices. LDA will solve these problems, since it has a diameter 3,8 meters and increased rigidity, which allows maintaining orbital stations from approx 20 large modules. The docking adapter can also act as a separation system from the launch vehicle. “When modules start to exceed 20 tons, there is no separation system for such masses in the industry, therefore, instead of a separate separation system, you can install an adapter on the other side of the launch vehicle and use it to separate the module.".
Max Haot noted, that Vast plans to sell the adapter to companies or government agencies. At the same time, the company publishes a standard, so that other market participants can independently manufacture compatible adapters. At this point, Vast's goal is to involve any space agencies, manufacturers of cargo or manned ships and developers of space stations, including competitors, before joining the standard.
Vast also provided some information on flight suit design, which will be carried by crews, that will visit its stations. The suit is based on the experience of astronauts, who flew to the ISS, and contains elements, such as pockets and fasteners, optimized for microgravity conditions.
Source: https://spacenews.com