Abstract:

 In order to suppress the rebound movement of the space net during the working process, a new control method with fixed-force tear ropes is proposed, which adds several tear ropes on the outlines of the net. After dispersing the space net, the lumped mass model of each rope is developed. And by using the mechanical properties of the tear rope, the system dynamics equation is derived based on the principle of virtual work. Then the simulations are investigated from the point of view of evaluating the effect of the fixed-force tear rope. From the comparison of the simulations, it is found that the fixed-force tear ropes have significant influence on restraining the rebound movement of the space net. And this new approach can be used in the future flexible space capture missions.

Key words:  Multibody system dynamics, Space net, Deployable mechanisms, Modeling, Simulation