NASA plans to organize a demonstration of unmanned spacecraft rendezvous in space on October 26, 2004. The technology behind the demonstration is called DART, which stands for Demonstration of Autonomous Rendezvous Technology. The DART vehicle will be launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. DART was successfully tested on Earth, but now, we'll have to see if it also works in space. While in orbit, the DART spacecraft will make its rendezvous with its satellite target, the Multiple Paths, Beyond-Line-of-Site Communications experimental satellite (MUBLCOM). Both the DART spacecraft and the MUBLCOM satellite will be guided by video cameras. What is even more interesting is that the mission will not involve any human intervention. It will totally be under control of computers programmed to perform functions such as guidance. Read more...
Here are the practical details about the mission.
DART will be carried into space aboard a Pegasus rocket. The Pegasus rocket will be launched from a Stargazer L-1011 aircraft at approximately 40,000 feet over the Pacific Ocean. The Pegasus will boost DART into an approximately 471-by-479-mile polar orbit.
DART will travel around the Earth to rendezvous with its target, the Multiple Paths, Beyond-Line-of-Site Communications experimental satellite. The target satellite was designed for use with a video guidance system like the Advanced Video Guidance Sensor on DART.
While on orbit, DART will perform several close proximity operations, such as moving toward and away from the target satellite using navigation data provided by onboard sensors. DART will also test additional algorithms by calculating and executing collision avoidance maneuvers and will travel around the target. To conclude the mission, DART will fly away from the satellite. The entire 24-hour mission will be accomplished without human intervention.
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"In this artist's conception, the DART flight demonstrator, top left, rendezvous with the MUBLCOM satellite, bottom right, in orbit." (Credit: DART Rendezvous Vehicle at Orbital Sciences Corporation) |
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This diagram shows you the components of the DART vehicle. (Credit: Orbital Sciences Corporation) Here is a link to a larger version. |
What are the benefits from such an autonomous rendezvous prototype system?
"The successful automation of these types of maneuvers, demonstrated by DART technologies, will benefit future space systems development requiring in-space assembly, services or other autonomous rendezvous operations," said Jim Snoddy, DART project manager. "This milestone moves us one step closer to a DART launch, where technologies proven on the ground will be demonstrated in space," he added.
The above illustrations come from NASA's DART website. If you're interested by the subject, there is a link to the DART fact sheet. You will not need to have a broadband connection to read it, even if the site says that this PDF file weighs 378 MB: in reality, it's only 613 KB (2 pages).
And here is a direct link to a cool movie (QuickTime format, 7.2 MB).
Sources: NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center news release, September 30, 2004; NASA's DART website
6:01:52 PM
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