Computer simulation of spacecraft peripheral elasticity-adaptive docking mechanism

This paper presents the dynamics math model of a peripheral docking mechanism with energy accumulation using springs with a controlled lock of re-coil. Before docking, the springs are partially compressed by a retraction device. The accumulated energy is released during contact interaction of docking units and provides quick extension of the mechanism for improving capture performance. After capture, the lock of recoil is activated again, thus the springs can only compress accumulating energy of spacecraft approach.