Abstract: A docking and active damping device for space structures is provided, in a docking portion of one space structure to be docked, with a positioning device in which an output rotor can be moved and rotated within a two-dimensional plane by a composite rotation of one or more eccentric rotors capable of being independently driven and controlled by a direct drive motor and the output rotor, and a docking member having a docking ring and a latch mechanism are supported on the output rotor of the positioning device. A probe having a capture device capable of being protruded and driven in an axial direction by a linear motion is provided inwardly of the docking member, and the probe provides a 4-freedom movement according to a position of the passive side to capture and dock a drogue.

Abstract: A superprecision positioning device includes an output shaft rotor, a plurality of eccentric shaft rotors including an inner eccentric shaft rotor and an outer eccentric shaft rotor, and a bearing base cylinder, electrically rotating and driving mechanism portions being provided between the eccentric shaft rotor and the output shaft rotor, and between the outer eccentric shaft rotor and the bearing base cylinder, respectively, whereby the eccentric shaft rotors and the output shaft rotor may be independently rotated and controlled. With this arrangement, movement in three degrees of freedom may be achieved by translational movement and rotation of the output shaft in a two-dimensional surface, and if an axially movable support shaft is inserted in the output shaft, an article being positioned may be moved with four degrees of freedom in total, providing superprecision positioning in units of 1/10 micron.