NASA Launches Test of Orbital Autopilot
Fri Apr 15, 2005 06:03 PM ET
By Irene Klotz
MELBOURNE, Fla. (Reuters) - NASA launched a small satellite into orbit
on Friday to test technology aimed at paving the way for the use of
automated rendezvous and docking systems in U.S. space missions.
Since the beginning of its space program, the U.S. space agency has
depended on astronaut-pilots to link spacecraft in orbit. Russia has
used automated docking for years.
NASA wants to determine how well the untended, unmanned satellite it
launched on Friday can maneuver around a target satellite. It will use
technology from the program in preparation for missions to the moon and
elsewhere that could involve automated spacecraft docking.
NASA's Demonstration of Autonomous Rendezvous Technology, or DART,
mission began with a boost into orbit aboard an air-launched Pegasus
rocket flying off the coast of California.
"Pegasus is away," said NASA launch commentator George Diller as the
winged booster dropped from beneath the wing of its L-1011 jet carrier
at 1:26 p.m. (1726 GMT).
Twelve minutes and three successful engine burns later, Pegasus' job was
complete and the spacecraft fired up its own hydrazine-powered motor to
put itself in a parking orbit over the planet's poles.
After an equipment checkout, DART was to begin moving slowly to its
target craft, a retired experimental communications satellite owned by
the U.S. military that is equipped with two sets of reflectors to bounce
back DART's laser beams.
The satellite is called MUBLCOM, an acronym for Multiple Paths, Beyond
Line-of-Site Communications. DART will use the information to determine
its position relative to MUBLCOM and attempt to close in on the
satellite. It is also equipped with an onboard global positioning system
to navigate.
"Once DART is launched, it's gone," said project spokeswoman Kim Newton,
with NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama "It's
totally autonomous. It can correct itself."
DART is expected to run through about 50 preprogramed sets of rendezvous
maneuvers, including flying around the satellite, moving in close,
backing away and descending from above the spacecraft. For its debut
test flight, DART will not come closer than about 16 feet to MUBLCOM.
Engineering data will be relayed to researchers through the flight.
After completing its mission, DART will fire its engine one last time to
dive into the atmosphere where it will be incinerated.
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