Docking system

Details Docking system Docking system

2011-08-09

2011-08-09

Swiatek, Rob (Department: 3643)

Aeronautics and astronautics

Spacecraft

Tethered

C244S172400, C280S514000, C114S249000

Reexamination Certificate

active

07992824

ABSTRACT:
An end effector operatively coupled to an extendable tensile element extended from a first vehicle engages a primary receptacle of a second vehicle. The first and second vehicles are drawn together by retracting the extendable tensile element into the first vehicle until contact therebetween, after which roll axes of the first and second vehicles become substantially aligned responsive to a further retraction of the extendable tensile element into the first vehicle and a resulting tension in the extendable tensile element. At least one alignment post of at least one of the first and second vehicles engages with at least one surface of at least one corresponding secondary receptacle so as to at least substantially align the first and second vehicles in roll responsive to the tension in the extendable tensile element.

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