The flown CM docking ring, the twin of this one, remained with the ascent stage of the Lunar Module Antares when it was jettisoned. The gimbal friction on the Apollo 14 antenna was measured during ground tests and found to be higher than nominal. The Apollo 14 docking ring is the single largest and heaviest piece of lunar spacecraft structural equipment ever to be offered to private hands. This would increase the antenna stability. The crew of course will have a chance to look at the docking mechanism during the translunar coast period while Antares and Kitty Hawk are docked. 14.1.1 Failure to Achieve Docking Probe Capture Latch Engagement.

CAPE KENNEDY, Fla., Jan. 31—For almost two hours tonight, difficulties with the Apollo 14's docking system threatened to shatter chances for a landing on the moon. The present distance reading for Apollo 14 is 22,503 nautical miles [41,676 km] away from Earth, and following that successful hard docking, Apollo 14 is proceeding on with our basic mission plan.