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DART - autopilot spacecraft failed

Since the inception of the space program, NASA has entrusted the delicate task of bringing two spacecraft together in orbit only to its skilled astronauts.

But as the agency plans to replace the space shuttle, it is considering using an autopilot for rendezvous and dockings and tested it on 2005 April 16. The $110 million mission, classified as high-risk because of its automated controls and relatively low budget, was intended to help lay the groundwork for future projects like robotic delivery of cargo to space shuttles and automated docking and repair between spacecraft in orbit. But the mission ended early when the computer-driven craft detected a fuel problem.

The experimental DART spacecraft — short for Demonstration of Autonomous Rendezvous Technology — had moved to within 300 feet of the satellite orbiting 472 miles above the Earth. The spacecraft was supposed to have maneuvered around the satellite, getting as close as 15 feet, for another 12 hours. After the problem arose, the 800-pound craft began coasting and eventually disintegrated in orbit.

Scientists called the mission a partial success because it demonstrated that an entirely computer-controlled craft could find a satellite in space.

posted by: kyawoo at 08:58 | link | comments |
unmanned missions, space science

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