Space Station/Shuttle Orbiter dynamics during docking

Abstract

Mathematical models of a reference space station configuration (Power Tower) and a Space Shuttle Orbiter are developed and used to study the dynamic behavior of the Space Station/Orbiter system just prior to and subsequent to an impulsive docking of the two spacecraft. The physical model of the space station is a collection of rigid and flexible bodies. The orbiter is modeled as a rigid body. An algorithm developed for use in digitally simulating the dynamics of the system is described and results of its application are presented.