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. This overview includes selected excerpts, pictures and references.
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. This overview includes selected excerpts, pictures and references.
| :: posted by Roland Piquepaille, 1:32 PM | Comments (0)
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