DART, launched onboard an Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket, provides a key step in establishing autonomous rendezvous capabilities in support of the U.S. space program's Vision for Space Exploration.

While astronauts have piloted previous rendezvous and docking efforts, the unmanned DART spacecraft has only computers and sensors to perform all of its rendezvous functions.

NASA has already successfully ground tested technologies that will enable unmanned spacecraft to rendezvous autonomously, something that has never been done in the history of U.S. spaceflight. The ground tests were performed at the Flight Robotics Laboratory at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala.

They demonstrated the capability of hardware and software to communicate with each other and to drive the spacecraft autonomously to achieve a safe, assured rendezvous and close approach to a target.

Video guidance sensor and autonomous rendezvous guidance technologies have also performed flawlessly, according to NASA managers. The tests verified critical autonomous rendezvous technologies, including the ability of the Advanced Video Guidance Sensor to combine with other technologies, such as the Global Positioning System and Automated Rendezvous and Proximity Operations calculations.

The video guidance sensor sees and determines a spacecraft's exact location, then feeds the information to Automated Rendezvous and Proximity Operations calculations, or algorithms, that function as a brain. The brain commands the spacecraft to turn, throttle, or brake, allowing it to rendezvous with another craft.

The tests were performed using mock-ups of the DART spacecraft and target satellite, demonstrating successful proximity operations with video guidance sensors for target location.

DART navigation guidance transitioned successfully from the Global Positioning System to direct use of the video guidance information. The Dart spacecraft then moved progressively closer to the target satellite under direct video guidance.

A number of maneuvers were demonstrated in the simulated ground tests, including a collision avoidance maneuver, horizontal approaches toward the target satellite, transition to docking guidance, and docking-hold maneuvers to within five meters of the target.

"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.

Related Links
NASA
SpaceDaily
Search SpaceDaily
Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only