Patent ID: 7370835

Claim:
A system for supporting and transferring a payload in space, the system comprising: a first platform comprising a first plate and a first docking mechanism, the first platform supporting the payload; and a second platform comprising a second plate and a second docking mechanism, the second platform being positioned adjacent to the first platform; wherein the first docking mechanism comprises a first plurality of tapered pins and tapered holes on an edge portion of the first plate, and the second docking mechanism comprises a second plurality of tapered pins and tapered holes on an edge portion of the second plate, the first plurality of tapered pins and tapered holes being configured to rotatably engage and disengage with the second plurality of tapered pins and tapered holes for aligning the first plate and the second plate, enabling the payload to be transferred from the first plate to the second plate; and wherein the first plate defines a first groove provided in a surface of the first plate, and the second plate defines a second groove provided in a surface of the second plate, each of the first groove and the second groove being configured to receive a rail provided on the payload.