Motivation: To design a modular space-tug that can be assembled in space, that can act as a refueling station for vehicles traveling long distances or to transfer cargo from low-earth orbit (LEO).

Our solution: 

A central vessel, Hermes, that can autonomously detect, find and dock with other parts to assemble and then also dock with cargo and/ or other vessels.

In order to dock with other parts, Hermes would first geo-align and then use lasers to match its rotational speed with the other parts, such as cargo.

To lock in the other parts, I designed the mechanism pictured below.

Finally, this solution is scalable, due to the hexagonal shapes of the Hermes which can form a beehive-like structure.