Self-guiding robots -- in space!
The Boeing Orbital Express system has
successfully performed a fully autonomous free-flight rendezvous and capture
operation.
This report was written like an exercise for the Coca-Cola PR department. What was accomplished - is a significant step forward in the class of autonomous devices.
The Boeing Orbital Express system has successfully performed a fully autonomous free-flight rendezvous and capture operation. The demonstration of the two-spacecraft system is part of an ongoing DARPA mission to validate on-orbit servicing capabilities.
Using its onboard cameras and advanced video guidance system, the Boeing ASTRO servicing spacecraft separated from the NextSat client spacecraft, backed away to a distance of 10 meters (33 feet), maintained proximity flight with NextSat for a full orbit, and then approached and captured NextSat with its docking mechanism.
The demonstration occurred at full spacecraft autonomy to mark the first on-orbit rendezvous and capture operation performed with no active exchange of relative navigation information or any intervention or control from the ground.
Baby steps; but, still pretty frackin’ cool.
Posted: Sat - May 12, 2007 at 07:39 AM