Spacecraft docking mechanism

Details Spacecraft docking mechanism Spacecraft docking mechanism

2005-11-29

2005-11-29

Barefoot, Galen (Department: 3644)

Aeronautics and astronautics

Spacecraft

Attitude control

C244S15500A, C244S13500B

Reexamination Certificate

active

06969030

ABSTRACT:
The present invention provides a docking mechanism that is capable of interfacing with Apogee Boost Motors (ABM) including Liquid Apogee Motors (LAM) of the satellite being captured to allow a servicing spacecraft to dock with a satellite that has no special docking features. The docking mechanism includes a compliant probe with spring-loaded fingers at its tip which is inserted into the LAM by the approach motion of the servicer spacecraft. When the probe tip has passed beyond the throat of the LAM the finger extend to trap the LAM on the probe thus achieving capture. The rigidization stage of docking is achieved by retracting the probe to pull the two spacecraft together. The docking mechanism includes abutment pads which interface with the launcher interface ring of the client spacecraft. With the preload applied by the probe retraction mechanism reacted through these pads, the docking mechanism can maintain a rigid docked interface under loads induced by thrusting maneuvers of the combined spacecraft or loads induced by on-orbit servicing operations.

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