Spacecraft multifunction connecting mechanisms, and associated systems and methods

A spacecraft connecting device, comprising:

• a housing having a common port opening positioned around a transport axis;
• a first connecting element carried by the housing and positioned to connect with a corresponding first connecting structure having a first configuration, the first configuration having an IBDM (International Berthing and Docking Mechanism) configuration, the first connecting element being concentric with the transport axis;
• and
• a second connecting element carried by the housing and positioned to connect with a corresponding second connecting structure having a second configuration different than the first configuration, the second configuration being an ACBM (Active Common Berthing Mechanism) configuration, the second connecting element having a PCBM (Passive Common Berthing Mechanism) configuration, the second connecting element being concentric with the transport axis and being positioned radially inwardly from the first connecting element;
• and
• a driver coupled to the first connecting element to drive the first connecting element along a motion axis that is parallel to the transport axis, between an operational position in which the first connecting element projects axially from the second connecting element, and a non-operational position in which the first connecting element is recessed axially from the second connecting element;
• and
• wherein each the first and second connecting elements, when connected to the corresponding first and second connecting structure, is positioned to allow transport through the common port opening.

A spacecraft connecting device, comprising:

• a housing having a common port opening positioned around a transport axis;
• a first connecting element carried by the housing and positioned to connect with a corresponding first connecting structure having a first configuration, the first configuration being an IBDM (International Berthing and Docking Mechanism) configuration, the first connecting element being concentric with the transport axis;
• and
• a second connecting element carried by the housing and positioned to connect with a corresponding second connecting structure having a second configuration different than the first configuration, the second configuration being an ACBM (Active Common Berthing Mechanism), the second connecting element having a PCBM (Passive Common Berthing Mechanism) configuration, the second connecting element being concentric with the transport axis and being positioned radially inwardly from the first connecting element;
• a hinge pivotably connecting the first and second connecting elements;
• and
• an actuator coupled to at least one of the first and second connecting elements to rotate the first connecting relative to the second connecting element between an operational position in which the first connecting element projects axially from the second connecting element, and a non-operational position in which the first connecting element is pivoted away from the second connecting element;
• and
• wherein each the first and second connecting elements, when connected to the corresponding first and second connecting structure, is positioned to allow transport through the common port opening.

A method for operating a spacecraft system, comprising:

• positioning a first spacecraft proximate to a second spacecraft,
• the first spacecraft having a connecting device that includes a housing having a common port opening, a first connecting element carried by the housing, and a second connecting element carried by the housing,
• the second spacecraft having at least one of a first connecting structure having a first configuration, or a second connecting structure having a second configuration different than the first configuration;
• receiving an input corresponding to which of the connecting structures is to be connected to;
• based at least in part on the input, moving at least one of the first or second connecting elements relative to the other to place the connecting mechanism corresponding to the connecting structure of he input in an operating position;
• and
• coupling the first and second spacecraft via the corresponding connecting element, for transport through the common port, regardless of whether the corresponding connecting element is the first connecting element or the second connecting element.