Small spacecraft autonomous rendezvous and docking is an essential technology for future space structure assembly missions. A novel magnetic capture and latching mechanism is analyzed that allows for docking of two CubeSats without precise sensors and actuators. The proposed magnetic docking hardware not only provides the means to latch the CubeSats but it also significantly increases the likelihood of successful docking in the presence of relative attitude and position errors. The simplicity of the design allows it to be implemented on many CubeSat rendezvous missions. Preliminary Monte Carlo simulation shows that the proposed docking design leads to successful docking under 3-sigma dispersions for all key system parameters. On the other hand, successful docking is not possible without the aid of the proposed docking subsystem. Future experiments are to be performed at the 3 Degrees of Freedom flat-floor facility at NASA Langley Research Center to demonstrate this novel concept. Extensive simulation and ground testing will provide sufficient confidence that the proposed docking mechanism will perform as expected in the space environment.
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