The present invention provides a docking mechanism that is capable of interfacing
with Apogee Boost Motors (ABM) including Liquid Apogee Motors (LAM) of the satellite
being captured to allow a servicing spacecraft to dock with a satellite that has
no special docking features. The docking mechanism includes a compliant probe with
spring-loaded fingers at its tip which is inserted into the LAM by the approach
motion of the servicer spacecraft. When the probe tip has passed beyond the throat
of the LAM the finger extend to trap the LAM on the probe thus achieving capture.
The rigidization stage of docking is achieved by retracting the probe to pull the
two spacecraft together. The docking mechanism includes abutment pads which interface
with the launcher interface ring of the client spacecraft. With the preload applied
by the probe retraction mechanism reacted through these pads, the docking mechanism
can maintain a rigid docked interface under loads induced by thrusting maneuvers
of the combined spacecraft or loads induced by on-orbit servicing operations.