An Overview of Rendezvous and Docking Space Laboratories Platforms

The space testbeds have been a milestone in space missions. The development of laboratory testbeds capable of testing space missions has increased space systems' reliability and performance during their missions. This article presents a review study on space testbeds, with a particular focus on rendezvous and docking laboratory testbeds. In this study, the testbeds have been categorized into two-dimensional and three-dimensional platforms. Table-based frictionless platforms, robotic simulation platforms, and the combination of a table and a rail structure are classified as two-dimensional platforms. The three-dimensional category also includes robotic arm-based platforms, water pools, free gravity or microgravity environments, rail in a three-dimensional environment, and unmanned aerial vehicles. Considering the importance of developing and implementing laboratory testbeds for space missions, rendezvous, and docking, the article has introduced the testbeds based on categorization. It also provides examples of existing laboratories, as well as samples of active institutions and centers in this field.