Study on impact energy absorption and adhesion of biomimetic buffer system for space robots

Abstract Space buffer landers offer the unique promise of ensuring that high-speed flying space robots steadily attach to the surface of the target spacecraft for repairs and rescues. A stable attachment and an easy detachment mechanism of the robot are required to enable space buffer landers to land smoothly on spacecraft in space environments. In this paper, we present an approach to fabricate a buffer lander with an elastic multi-leg configuration and adhesive feet with a microarray structure. We set up a theoretical model of a buffer lander with six elastic legs and adhesive feet. We analyze the influence of the initial position of the lander on the buffer kinetic energy absorption characteristics by theoretical modeling. Based on this model, we establish a discrete element multibody dynamics coupling simulation platform. Through the simulation, we analyze the factors influencing the buffer kinetic energy absorption characteristics and optimize the parameters of the buffer. We obtain the contact force of the adhesion feet and the torque of each joint of the buffer during the cushioning process with EDEM-ADAMS coupling simulations. Finally, we build a launching platform for the buffer collision test and simulate a high-temperature and high-vacuum space environment with a heating cage and a vacuum tank, respectively. Then, the effects of the high-temperature and high-vacuum environment on the kinetic energy absorption and adsorption characteristics of the buffer are analyzed.