From personal experience I can 100% tell you this is NOT a kamikaze maneuver. Happened to me twice. The second time, I actually let the Autopilot continue, and it was making room for the type-9 coming in above me. As soon as the Type-9 hit the mail slot, the ship reoriented and docked.
I'm not saying I LIKE it, it's similar to "waiting in queue", but it has a logical purpose apparently.
It was kamikaze. There were no others ships around. In the context you mention you could justify it happening. In the context I have seen it happen, it's just dodgy and suicidal. Some times it adds to the fun, but really this is technology in 3302, seeing your spaceship rut against the spacestation like a horny moose is just...ridiculous.
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