connectors - Space Apps Challenge

connectors| Let's Connect

Let's Connect

For bigger spacecraft capable of executing bigger missions, some of the assembly may be done in space. Your challenge is to design a simple approach that enables components to be assembled in space.

spring-based soft docking system

Summary

model Fixes one ship to another through a mechanism that involves inserting two rubber spheres connected to a cylinder which is stick into a spaceship into openings in the ship we aim to connect with, and closing the ring on these globules, also allowing their movement in all directions to adjusting and providing them with a place where astronauts can reach the other spacecraft. There is an ability of shock resistance in the rubber spheres, also adjusting the directions allow flexibly indirect the spaceship. Also adding an arm that can contract and expanded could easily connect the two space crafts. Also, many components that reflect greater efficiency in this process.

How We Addressed This Challenge

Failure of docking process due to the lack of shock-absorbing power, the lack of re-attempt opportunities, lack of flexibility in connecting spacecraft and the complete need for an arm to tighten of spacecrafts together, all of these things result in disasters that can be avoided by the components that we have added to our design, by adding rubber tires to absorb shocks, adding the ability to rotate and move, as well as enhancing the strength of connection between equipment with balanced figures, adding an arm for expansion and contraction, and also having the opportunity to try again in cause of errors through the models that can install and dismantle from the figures which it is fixed in.

How We Developed This Project

What made our team choose this challenge was looking forward to the importance of having colonies and life for us on other planets such as Mars. And one of the main steps in achieving this dream of mankind is the presence of a mechanism that enhances the connection of all equipment and vehicles in space with each other, and also the presence of skills such as 3D modeling, Architectural designs, and engineering design process skills in our team making this challenge the most appropriate. So these were the key skills in which we relied on, solving the challenge. One of the most challenging things for us was to search for sources that show us the previous systems of connection between spacecraft, but we strengthened the search and got to our current information.

How We Used Space Agency Data in This Project

The data from the ISS helped us a lot in seeing visual moments of spacecraft sticking to it, and this gave us a future vision of what our design would look like. Also, the NASA website allowed us to see shapes and patterns that had been worked on in advance and how they were tried, and this made us put these tests for our design and see if it could pass them. Also seeing the importance of spacecraft communication in the future of mankind on other planets through some NASA Space agencies websites was an inspiration for us to work hard on solving the challenge.