Compliant joint to reduce docking loads between CubeSats

This paper presents the design, modelling and experimental verification of a damping joint for application to miniature space docking mechanisms. The joint design is based on deformable elastomeric elements, thus avoiding any sliding or contact between moving components. Numerical FEM simulations have been conducted in order to quantify the joint mechanical characteristics (rigidity and damping coefficient) as a function of the main design parameters (geometry, material, assembly). The obtained parametric relations provide an estimate of the joint characteristics based on the selected design. An equivalent visco-elastic model is developed and implemented in dynamic simulations. The results of the experimental evaluation of the joint design provide a validation of the developed models and prove the advantage of adopting damping joints in docking applications between small satellites, like reduced contact loads and enhanced damping.