posted 02-22-2016 10:52 AM               

I understand the Mir space station's core module was equipped with a Kurs docking system on its forward port for the Soyuz TM spacecraft and the Igla system on the aft port for the Progress spacecraft. Because the first manned spacecraft to visit the station was Soyuz T-15 (equipped with the Igla system) it had to approach the aft port and then manually maneuver and dock with the forward port to leave the aft port open for Progress spacecraft.

However, in 1987 Kvant-1 docked with the aft port and after jettisoning its FSH it revealed a new docking port. Was the Kvant-1 docking port equipped with the Kurs system or Igla? I assume it was Kurs as Soyuz TM spacecraft docked with it (beginning with Soyuz TM-3) but then so did Progress.

So, either the Progress spacecraft starting being equipped with the Kurs system (starting with Progress 29) or the Soyuz TM spacecraft had to manually dock with the Kvant-1 port... and then once the forward core port was open they would have to be moved.

My guess is Kvant-1 contained a Kurs system and with the docking of Kvant-1 the historically troubled Igla system was retired.