KSC-04pd-2239
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - After postponement of the launch, the Demonstration of Autonomous Rendezvous Technology (DART) spacecraft is covered with protective material. DART is mated to Orbital Sciences Corporation’s Stargazer L-1011 aircraft, which will release its cargo over the Pacific Ocean at 40,000 feet. The Pegasus XL vehicle will launch DART into a circular polar orbit of approximately 475 miles. DART was designed and built for NASA by Orbital Sciences as an advanced flight demonstrator to locate and maneuver near an orbiting satellite. 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.
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Details
NASA ID
04pd2239
Date Created
October 27, 2004
Center
KSC
Media Type
image
Photographer
NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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