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DART Processing Notes |
The launch of NASA's DART spacecraft aboard an Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL, scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 9, has been postponed indefinitely. A review of projected loads data, or the G-forces that the DART payload will experience upon ignition of the Pegasus second stage, are being re-evaluated to assure mission success. The Pegasus rocket is being demated today, Nov. 10, from the L-1011 carrier aircraft and returned to its hangar for the present time. A new launch date will be determined once the loads analysis concern has been resolved. DART was designed and built for NASA by Orbital Sciences Corporation as an advanced flight demonstrator to locate and maneuver near an orbiting satellite. The DART spacecraft weighs about 800 pounds and is nearly 6 feet long and 3 feet in diameter. The Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL vehicle will launch DART into a circular polar orbit of approximately 475 miles. The DART satellite provides a key step in establishing autonomous rendezvous capabilities for the U.S. Space Program. While previous rendezvous and docking efforts have been piloted by astronauts, the unmanned DART satellite will have computers and cameras to perform its rendezvous functions. Once in orbit, DART will make contact with a target satellite, the Multiple Paths, Beyond-Line-of-Sight Communications (MUBLCOM), also built by Orbital Sciences and launched in 1999. DART will then perform several close-proximity operations, such as moving toward and away from the satellite using navigation data provided by on-board sensors. The entire mission will last only 24 hours and will be accomplished without human intervention. The DART flight computer will determine its own path to accomplish its mission objectives. (November 10, 2004 status report) |
| Mated
to the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket at Vandenberg
Air Force Base in California, NASA's DART spacecraft is
being transported to the runway today for mating to the
underside of Orbital's L-1011 carrier aircraft. A Combined
System Test involving Pegasus/DART and the L-1011 is scheduled
for Friday, Oct. 22, and will be followed by a DART Flight
Line Test, a spacecraft state of health check.
The DART Flight Readiness Review was successfully completed at Vandenberg Air Force Base on Wednesday, Oct. 20. The DART Mission Readiness Review was also successfully completed at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., on Oct. 15. With these two major reviews now finished, launch is on schedule for Tuesday, Oct. 26. Deployment from the L-1011 is targeted to occur at 11:13:32 a.m. PDT at a location approximately 100 miles West-Northwest of Vandenberg Air Force Base. The DART satellite and Pegasus XL launch vehicle were successfully re-mated on Oct. 1, followed by successful final testing of the Advanced Video Guidance Sensor hardware, the primary technology demonstration experiment. The final Pegasus/DART launch and mission simulation was successfully performed on Oct. 8. Installation of the dual fairing halves around the spacecraft atop the Pegasus rocket was completed Oct. 15. DART was designed and built for NASA by Orbital Sciences Corporation as an advanced flight demonstrator to locate and maneuver near an orbiting satellite. The DART spacecraft weighs about 800 pounds and is nearly 6 feet long and 3 feet in diameter. The Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL vehicle will launch DART into a circular polar orbit of approximately 475 miles. The DART satellite provides a key step in establishing autonomous rendezvous capabilities for the U.S. Space Program. While previous rendezvous and docking efforts have been piloted by astronauts, the unmanned DART satellite will have computers and cameras to perform its rendezvous functions. Once in orbit, DART will make contact with a target satellite, the Multiple Paths, Beyond-Line-of-Sight Communications (MUBLCOM), also built by Orbital Sciences and launched in 1999. DART will then perform several close-proximity operations, such as moving toward and away from the satellite using navigation data provided by on-board sensors. The entire mission will last only 24 hours and will be accomplished without human intervention. The DART flight computer will determine its own path to accomplish its mission objectives. (October 21, 2004 status reports) |
| The
DART satellite and Pegasus XL launch vehicle were successfully re-mated
on Oct. 1 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Analysis of the
alternate method of monitoring the upper stage hydrazine fuel tank pressure
is planned to be completed this week. Final testing of the Advanced Video Guidance Sensor hardware, the primary technology demonstration experiment, has been successfully completed. The final Pegasus/DART launch and mission simulation was successfully completed on Oct. 8. The DART Mission Readiness Review will occur on Friday, Oct. 15 at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. At the conclusion of a successful review, the Oct. 26 launch date should become firm. DART was designed and built for NASA by Orbital Sciences Corporation as an advanced flight demonstrator to locate and maneuver near an orbiting satellite. The DART spacecraft weighs about 800 pounds and is nearly 6 feet long and 3 feet in diameter. The Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL vehicle will launch DART into a circular polar orbit of approximately 475 miles. The DART satellite provides a key step in establishing autonomous rendezvous capabilities for the U.S. Space Program. While previous rendezvous and docking efforts have been piloted by astronauts, the unmanned DART satellite will have computers and cameras to perform its rendezvous functions. Once in orbit, DART will make contact with a target satellite, the Multiple Paths, Beyond-Line-of-Sight Communications (MUBLCOM), also built by Orbital Sciences and launched in 1999. DART will then perform several close-proximity operations, such as moving toward and away from the satellite using navigation data provided by on-board sensors. The entire mission will last only 24 hours and will be accomplished without human intervention. The DART flight computer will determine its own path to accomplish its mission objectives. (October 13, 2004 status reports) |
The DART satellite and Pegasus XL launch vehicle were successfully re-mated on Oct. 1 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Verification testing is now under way to validate the alternate method of monitoring the upper stage hydrazine fuel tank pressure. Final testing of the Advanced Video Guidance Sensor hardware, the primary technology demonstration experiment, has been successfully completed. The final Pegasus/DART launch and mission simulation is under way today. The DART Mission Readiness Review will occur on Oct. 15 at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. At the conclusion of a successful review, the Oct. 26 launch date should become firm. DART was designed and built for NASA by Orbital Sciences Corporation as an advanced flight demonstrator to locate and maneuver near an orbiting satellite. The DART spacecraft weighs about 800 pounds and is nearly 6 feet long and 3 feet in diameter. The Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL vehicle will launch DART into a circular polar orbit of approximately 475 miles. The DART satellite provides a key step in establishing autonomous rendezvous capabilities for the U.S. Space Program. While previous rendezvous and docking efforts have been piloted by astronauts, the unmanned DART satellite will have computers and cameras to perform its rendezvous functions. Once in orbit, DART will make contact with a target satellite, the Multiple Paths, Beyond-Line-of-Sight Communications (MUBLCOM), also built by Orbital Sciences and launched in 1999. DART will then perform several close-proximity operations, such as moving toward and away from the satellite using navigation data provided by on-board sensors. The entire mission will last only 24 hours and will be accomplished without human intervention. The DART flight computer will determine its own path to accomplish its mission objectives. (October 7, 2004 status reports) |
Due to a failed pressure transducer on the DART upper stage, launch aboard a Pegasus XL has been rescheduled to no earlier than Oct. 26. The upper stage is necessary to deliver DART to its rendezvous point and to conduct proximity operations with the Multiple Paths, Beyond-Line-of-Site Communications (MUBLCOM) satellite. Three strain gauges have been installed on the upper stage to derive hydrazine fuel tank pressure. Verification testing is now under way to validate this alternate method of monitoring. A final flight simulation is now scheduled to be conducted on Oct. 7. Installation into the satellite of the Advanced Video Guidance Sensor hardware, the primary technology demonstration experiment, was completed Sept. 15 after arriving at Vandenberg Sept. 12. DART was designed and built for NASA by Orbital Sciences Corporation as an advanced flight demonstrator to locate and maneuver near an orbiting satellite. The DART spacecraft weighs about 800 pounds and is nearly 6 feet long and 3 feet in diameter. The Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL vehicle will launch DART into a circular polar orbit of approximately 475 miles. The DART satellite provides a key step in establishing autonomous rendezvous capabilities for the U.S. Space Program. While previous rendezvous and docking efforts have been piloted by astronauts, the unmanned DART satellite will have computers and cameras to perform its rendezvous functions. Once in orbit, DART will make contact with a target satellite, the MUBLCOM, also built by Orbital Sciences and launched in 1999. DART will then perform several close-proximity operations, such as moving toward and away from the satellite using navigation data provided by on-board sensors. The entire mission will last only 24 hours and will be accomplished without human intervention. The DART flight computer will determine its own path to accomplish its mission objectives. (September 30, 2004 status reports) |
At Vandenberg Air Force Base, the Pegasus XL launch vehicle completed its buildup and testing is in progress. The first of three Pegasus Flight Simulations was completed Aug. 18 and the second on Sept. 9. The final simulation is scheduled to be conducted next week on Sept. 30. The upper stage that will provide maneuvering for the spacecraft during mission operations for DART was demated from the third stage this week to inspect its pressure transducer and associated electrical harness. Installation of the Advanced Video Guidance Sensor (AVGS) hardware, the primary technology demonstration experiment, was completed into the satellite Sept. 15 after arriving at Vandenberg Sept. 12. The optical characterization testing and final performance verification test will be conducted later this month. DART was designed and built for NASA by Orbital Sciences Corporation as an advanced flight demonstrator to locate and maneuver near an orbiting satellite. The DART spacecraft weighs about 800 pounds and is nearly 6 feet long and 3 feet in diameter. The Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL vehicle will launch DART into a circular polar orbit of approximately 475 miles. The DART satellite provides a key step in establishing autonomous rendezvous capabilities for the U.S. Space Program. While previous rendezvous and docking efforts have been piloted by astronauts, the unmanned DART satellite will have computers and cameras to perform its rendezvous functions. Once in orbit, DART will make contact with a target satellite, the Multiple Paths, Beyond-Line-of-Site Communications (MUBLCOM), also built by Orbital Sciences and launched in 1999. DART will then perform several close-proximity operations, such as moving toward and away from the satellite using navigation data provided by on-board sensors. The entire mission will last only 24 hours and will be accomplished without human intervention. The DART flight computer will determine its own path to accomplish its mission objectives. (September 22, 2004 status reports) |
| At
Vandenberg Air Force Base, the Pegasus XL launch vehicle completed its
buildup and testing is in progress. The first of three Pegasus Flight
Simulations was completed Aug. 18 and the second on Sept. 9. The final
simulation is scheduled to be conducted on Sept. 30. The upper stage that will provide maneuvering for the spacecraft during mission operations is scheduled to be mated to DART this week. Installation of the Advanced Video Guidance Sensor (AVGS) hardware, the primary technology demonstration experiment, was completed into the satellite Sept. 15 after arriving at Vandenberg Sept. 12. The optical characterization testing and final performance verification test will be conducted later this month. DART was designed and built for NASA by Orbital Sciences Corporation as an advanced flight demonstrator to locate and maneuver near an orbiting satellite. The DART spacecraft weighs about 800 pounds and is nearly 6 feet long and 3 feet in diameter. The Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL vehicle will launch DART into a circular polar orbit of approximately 475 miles. The DART satellite provides a key step in establishing autonomous rendezvous capabilities for the U.S. Space Program. While previous rendezvous and docking efforts have been piloted by astronauts, the unmanned DART satellite will have computers and cameras to perform its rendezvous functions. Once in orbit, DART will make contact with a target satellite, the Multiple Paths, Beyond-Line-of-Site Communications (MUBLCOM), also built by Orbital Sciences and launched in 1999. DART will then perform several close-proximity operations, such as moving toward and away from the satellite using navigation data provided by on-board sensors. The entire mission will last only 24 hours and will be accomplished without human intervention. The DART flight computer will determine its own path to accomplish its mission objectives. (September 17, 2004 status reports) |
At Vandenberg Air Force Base, processing of the Pegasus XL launch vehicle is going well. Mating of the second stage to the third stage is currently in progress. The first of three Pegasus Flight Simulations has been successfully completed. The second simulation is scheduled for Sept. 7, and the third is currently planned for Sept. 23. The upper stage that will provide maneuvering for the spacecraft during mission operations is scheduled to be mated to DART this week. The Advanced Guidance Sensor (AVGS) hardware, the primary technology demonstration experiment for the satellite, is completing final testing at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. The optical characterization testing and final performance verification test will be conducted this month. The AVGS is expected to arrive at Vandenberg approximately Sept. 12 for installation aboard the satellite. DART was designed and built for NASA by Orbital Sciences Corporation as an advanced flight demonstrator to locate and maneuver near an orbiting satellite. The DART spacecraft weighs about 800 pounds and is nearly 6 feet long and 3 feet in diameter. The Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL vehicle will launch DART into a circular polar orbit of approximately 475 miles. The DART satellite provides a key step in establishing autonomous rendezvous capabilities for the U.S. Space Program. While previous rendezvous and docking efforts have been piloted by astronauts, the unmanned DART satellite will have computers and cameras to perform its rendezvous functions. Once in orbit, DART will make contact with a target satellite, the Multiple Paths, Beyond-Line-of-Site Communications (MUBLCOM), also built by Orbital Sciences and launched in 1999. DART will then perform several close-proximity operations, such as moving toward and away from the satellite using navigation data provided by on-board sensors. The entire mission will last only 24 hours and will be accomplished without human intervention. The DART flight computer will determine its own path to accomplish its mission objectives. DART is designed to demonstrate technologies required for a spacecraft to locate and rendezvous, or maneuver close to, other craft in space. Results from the DART mission will aid in the development of NASA's Crew Exploration Vehicle and will also assist in vehicle development for crew transfer and crew rescue capability to and from the International Space Station. (September 1, 2004 status reports) |
At Vandenberg Air Force Base, processing of the Pegasus XL launch vehicle is going well. The first of three Pegasus Flight Simulations has been successfully completed. The second simulation is scheduled for Sept. 7, and the third is currently planned for Sept. 23. Testing is complete on the Pegasus XL launch vehicle's fourth stage. This is a hydrazine fuel upper stage that will later be integrated with the satellite before the combination is mated with the Pegasus XL rocket. This stage will perform maneuvering capability for the spacecraft during the mission. The Demonstration of Autonomous Rendezvous Technology (DART) satellite arrived at Vandenberg Air Force Base on July 13 to begin its final preparations for launch. The Advanced Guidance Sensor (AVGS) hardware, the primary technology demonstration experiment for the satellite, is completing final testing at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. The optical characterization testing and final performance verification test will be conducted this month. The AVGS will be shipped to Vandenberg for installation aboard the satellite in early September. DART was designed and built for NASA by Orbital Sciences Corporation as an advanced flight demonstrator to locate and maneuver near an orbiting satellite. The DART spacecraft weighs about 800 pounds and is nearly 6 feet long and 3 feet in diameter. The Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL vehicle will launch DART into a circular polar orbit of approximately 475 miles. The DART satellite provides a key step in establishing autonomous rendezvous capabilities for the U.S. Space Program. While previous rendezvous and docking efforts have been piloted by astronauts, the unmanned DART satellite will have computers and cameras to perform all of its rendezvous functions. Once in orbit, DART will make contact with a target satellite, the Multiple Paths, Beyond-Line-of-Site Communications (MUBLCOM), also built by Orbital Sciences and launched in 1999. DART will then perform several close-proximity operations, such as moving toward and away from the satellite using navigation data provided by on-board sensors. The entire mission will last only 24 hours and will be accomplished without human intervention. The DART flight computer will determine its own path to accomplish its mission objectives. DART is designed to demonstrate technologies required for a spacecraft to locate and rendezvous, or maneuver close to, other craft in space. Results from the DART mission will aid in the development of NASA's Crew Exploration Vehicle and will also assist in vehicle development for crew transfer and crew rescue capability to and from the International Space Station. (August 26, 2004 status reports) |
Testing is complete on the Pegasus XL launch vehicle's fourth stage. This is a hydrazine fuel upper stage that will later be integrated with the satellite before the combination is mated with the Pegasus XL rocket. This stage will perform DART's maneuvering during the mission. In other work, the first Pegasus Simulated Flight test is underway today. The aft skirt of the launch vehicle has been installed. The fins are mechanically mated and the alignment continues. The GPS and UHF antennas have also been installed. Installation of fillet, material that acts as an interface between the first stage and the wing of the Pegasus, continues. The Demonstration of Autonomous Rendezvous Technology (DART) spacecraft was rotated from a horizontal to vertical position and lifted onto a test stand July 27 for current launch processing activities. The DART spacecraft arrived at Vandenberg Air Force Base on July 13 to begin its final preparations for launch. The Advanced Guidance Sensor (AVGS) hardware, the primary technology demonstration experiment for the satellite, is completing final testing at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. The optical characterization testing and final performance verification test will be conducted this month. The AVGS will be shipped to Vandenberg for installation aboard the satellite in early September. DART was designed and built for NASA by Orbital Sciences Corporation as a flight demonstrator to locate and maneuver near an orbiting satellite. The DART spacecraft weighs about 800 pounds and is nearly 6 feet long and 3 feet in diameter. The Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL vehicle will launch DART into a circular polar orbit of approximately 475 miles. The DART satellite is an advanced flight demonstrator that provides a key step in establishing autonomous rendezvous capabilities for the U.S. Space Program. While previous rendezvous and docking efforts have been piloted by astronauts, the unmanned DART satellite will have computers and cameras to perform all of its rendezvous functions. Once in orbit, DART will rendezvous with a target satellite, the Multiple Paths, Beyond-Line-of-Site Communications (MUBLCOM), also built by Orbital Sciences and launched in 1999. DART will then perform several close-proximity operations, such as moving toward and away from the satellite using navigation data provided by onboard sensors. The entire mission will last only 24 hours and will be accomplished without human intervention. The DART flight computer will determine its own path to accomplish its mission objectives. DART is designed to demonstrate technologies required for a spacecraft to locate and rendezvous, or maneuver close to, other craft in space. Results from the DART mission will aid in the development of NASA's Crew Exploration Vehicle and will also assist in vehicle development for crew transfer and crew rescue capability to and from the International Space Station. (August 18, 2004 status reports) |
The Pegasus XL launch vehicle's fourth stage has arrived and the initial testing is complete. The hydrazine fuel upper stage will be mated to the satellite. Later, the combination will be integrated with the Pegasus. In other work, the aft skirt has been installed. The fins are mechanically mated and alignment continues. The GPS and UHF antennas have also been installed. Installation of fillet, material that acts as an interface between the first stage and the wing of the Pegasus, continues to undergo installation. The Demonstration of Autonomous Rendezvous Technology (DART) spacecraft was rotated from a horizontal to vertical position and lifted onto a test stand July 27 for current launch processing activities. The DART spacecraft arrived at Vandenberg Air Force Base on July 13 to begin its final preparations for launch. The Advanced Guidance Sensor (AVGS) hardware, the primary technology demonstration experiment for the satellite, is completing final testing at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. The optical characterization testing and final performance verification test will be conducted this month. The AVGS will be shipped to Vandenberg for installation aboard the satellite in early September. DART has been designed and built for NASA by Orbital Sciences Corporation as a flight demonstrator to locate and maneuver near an orbiting satellite. The DART spacecraft weighs about 800 pounds, is nearly 6 feet long and 3 feet in diameter. The Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL vehicle will launch DART into a circular polar orbit of approximately 475 miles. The DART satellite is an advanced flight demonstrator that provides a key step in establishing autonomous rendezvous capabilities for the U.S. Space Program. While previous rendezvous and docking efforts have been piloted by astronauts, the unmanned DART satellite will have computers and cameras to perform all of its rendezvous functions. Once in orbit, DART will rendezvous with a target satellite, the Multiple Paths, Beyond-Line-of-Site Communications (MUBLCOM), also built by Orbital Sciences and launched in 1999. DART will then perform several close-proximity operations, such as moving toward and away from the satellite using navigation data provided by onboard sensors. The entire mission will last only 24 hours and will be accomplished without human intervention. The DART flight computer will determine its own path to accomplish its mission objectives. DART is designed to demonstrate technologies required for a spacecraft to locate and rendezvous, or maneuver close to, other craft in space. Results from the DART mission will aid in the development of NASA's Crew Exploration Vehicle and will also assist in vehicle development for crew transfer and crew rescue capability to and from the International Space Station. (August 11, 2004 status reports) |
The Pegasus XL launch vehicle's fourth stage has arrived and the initial testing has been completed. It is a hydrazine fuel upper stage that will be mated to the satellite. Later the combination will be integrated with the Pegasus. In other work, the aft skirt has been installed. The fins are mechanically mated and alignment continues. The GPS and UHF antennas have also been installed. Installation of fillet, material that acts as an interface between the first stage and the wing of the Pegasus, continues to undergo installation. The Demonstration of Autonomous Rendezvous Technology (DART) spacecraft was rotated from a horizontal to vertical position and lifted onto a test stand July 27 for further launch processing activities. The DART spacecraft arrived at Vandenberg Air Force Base on July 13 to begin final preparations for launch. The Advanced Guidance Sensor (AVGS) hardware, the primary technology demonstration experiment for the satellite, is completing final testing at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. The optical characterization testing and final performance verification test will be conducted this month. The AVGS will be shipped to Vandenberg for installation aboard the satellite in early September. DART has been designed and built for NASA by Orbital Sciences Corporation as a flight demonstrator to locate and maneuver near an orbiting satellite. The DART spacecraft weighs about 800 pounds, is nearly 6 feet long and 3 feet in diameter. The Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL vehicle will launch DART into a circular polar orbit of approximately 475 miles. The DART satellite is an advanced flight demonstrator that provides a key step in establishing autonomous rendezvous capabilities for the U.S. Space Program. While previous rendezvous and docking efforts have been piloted by astronauts, the unmanned DART satellite will have computers and cameras to perform all of its rendezvous functions. Once in orbit, DART will rendezvous with a target satellite, the Multiple Paths, Beyond-Line-of-Site Communications (MUBLCOM), also built by Orbital Sciences and launched in 1999. DART will then perform several close-proximity operations, such as moving toward and away from the satellite using navigation data provided by onboard sensors. The entire mission will last only 24 hours and will be accomplished without human intervention. The DART flight computer will determine its own path to accomplish its mission objectives. DART is designed to demonstrate technologies required for a spacecraft to locate and rendezvous, or maneuver close to, other craft in space. Results from the DART mission will aid in the development of NASA's Crew Exploration Vehicle and will also assist in vehicle development for crew transfer and crew rescue capability to and from the International Space Station. (July 28, 2004 status reports) |
On the Pegasus XL launch vehicle, the aft skirt has been installed. The fins are mechanically mated and alignment continues. The GPS and UHF antennas have been installed. Installation of fillet, material that acts as an interface between the first stage and the wing of the Pegasus, is currently undergoing installation. The Demonstration of Autonomous Rendezvous Technology (DART) spacecraft was rotated from horizontal to vertical and lifted onto a test stand July 27 for further launch processing activities. The DART spacecraft arrived at Vandenberg Air Force Base on July 13 to begin final preparations for launch. The spacecraft's Reaction Control System (RCS) has been charged with gaseous nitrogen and leak checks are underway. DART has been designed and built for NASA by Orbital Sciences Corporation as a flight demonstrator to locate and maneuver near an orbiting satellite. The DART spacecraft weighs about 800 pounds, is nearly 6 feet long and 3 feet in diameter. The Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL vehicle will launch DART into a circular polar orbit of approximately 475 miles. The DART satellite is an advanced flight demonstrator that provides a key step in establishing autonomous rendezvous capabilities for the U.S. Space Program. While previous rendezvous and docking efforts have been piloted by astronauts, the unmanned DART satellite will have computers and cameras to perform all of its rendezvous functions. Once in orbit, DART will rendezvous with a target satellite, the Multiple Paths, Beyond-Line-of-Site Communications (MUBLCOM), also built by Orbital Sciences and launched in 1999. DART will then perform several close-proximity operations, such as moving toward and away from the satellite using navigation data provided by onboard sensors. The entire mission will last only 24 hours and will be accomplished without human intervention. The DART flight computer will determine its own path to accomplish its mission objectives. DART is designed to demonstrate technologies required for a spacecraft to locate and rendezvous, or maneuver close to, other craft in space. Results from the DART mission will aid in the development of NASA's Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) and will also assist in vehicle development for crew transfer and crew rescue capability to and from the International Space Station. (July 21, 2004 status reports) |
On the Pegasus XL launch vehicle, the aft skirt has been installed. The fins are mechanically mated and alignment is underway. The GPS and UHF antennas have also been installed. The DART spacecraft arrived at Vandenberg Air Force Base on July 13 to begin final preparations for launch. The spacecraft's Reaction Control System (RCS) has been charged with gaseous nitrogen and leak checks are underway. DART has been designed and built for NASA by Orbital Sciences Corporation as a flight demonstrator to locate and maneuver near an orbiting satellite. The DART spacecraft weighs about 800 pounds, is nearly 6 feet long and 3 feet in diameter. The Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL vehicle will launch DART into a circular polar orbit of approximately 475 miles. The Demonstration of Autonomous Rendezvous Technology (DART) satellite is an advanced flight demonstrator that provides a key step in establishing autonomous rendezvous capabilities for the U.S. Space Program. While previous rendezvous and docking efforts have been piloted by astronauts, the unmanned DART satellite will have computers and cameras to perform all of its rendezvous functions. Once in orbit, DART will rendezvous with a target satellite, the Multiple Paths, Beyond-Line-of-Site Communications (MUBLCOM), also built by Orbital Sciences and launched in 1999. DART will then perform several close-proximity operations, such as moving toward and away from the satellite using navigation data provided by onboard sensors. The entire mission will last only 24 hours and will be accomplished without human intervention. The DART flight computer will determine its own path to accomplish its mission objectives. DART is designed to demonstrate technologies required for a spacecraft to locate and rendezvous, or maneuver close to, other craft in space. Results from the DART mission will aid in the development of NASA's Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) and will also assist in vehicle development for crew transfer and crew rescue capability to and from the International Space Station. |
|
Page Last Revised |
Page & Curator Information |
November 24, 2004 |
Curator:
Elaine Marconi (elaine.marconi-1@ksc.nasa.gov)
Web Development: JBOSC
Web Development Team |