Various companies may be working on self-driving cars, but NASA is about to launch technology to the International Space Station that could bring the agency closer to enabling rendezvous with a spacecraft without human intervention. <\/p>\n
A test module, dubbed Raven, will help NASA autonomously rendezvous with and dock with satellites traveling through space at more than 16,000 mph. <\/p>\n
Two spacecraft autonomously rendezvousing is crucial for many future NASA missions and Raven is maturing this never-before-attempted technology, said Ben Reed, a deputy division director with NASA, in a statement. <\/p>\n
The module, which is about the size of a microwave oven, will be attached to the outside of the space station where it will use sensors and algorithms to test technologies needed to handle a space rendezvous without the help of humans. The module is expected to work for about two years, <\/p>\n
NASA needs to have refueling and maintenance spaceships able to rendezvous and dock with satellites in order to service them.Thats a problem since 99% of all satellites working in space were not designed with this capability, according to NASA. <\/p>\n
Because of time delays, its difficult to send rendezvous commands from Earth to satellites when they are running out of fuel. <\/p>\n
The Raven test module is the first step in NASA's effort to develop ways for spacecraft to rendezvous in space without human involvement. <\/p>\n
It would be easier and more efficient to send robotic-servicing satellites to refuel other satellites, which can weigh several tons, and perform any needed repairs. <\/p>\n
It also means satellites would be able to work far longer rather than becoming space junk, while companies and the government carry the expense of sending up new satellites. <\/p>\n
However, NASA notes that this is a tricky job. <\/p>\n
Since the satellites largely are not built for rendezvous, robotic-servicing satellites would need to use machine learning and sensors to find, approach, match speed with and grab onto targets. <\/p>\n
The Raven module is set to be launched on the 10th SpaceX commercial resupply mission, which is scheduled for Saturday. <\/p>\n
The equipment will be aboard SpaceXs Dragon spacecraft, which will ride a Falcon 9 rocket as it lifts off from NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. <\/p>\n
Raven is scheduled to be unpacked from the Dragon spacecraft by the space stations Dextre robotic arm five days after it reaches the orbiter. <\/p>\n
Dextre, a two-armed, Canadian-built robot that works on the outside of the station, will attach the module to a payload platform on the outside of the orbiter. <\/p>\n
From its perch outside the space station, Raven will capture and analyze data about approaching and departing spacecraft. It will use sensors and machine-vision algorithms, which would enable a machine to \"see,\" to gauge the distance and speed of the spacecraft it's tracking. <\/p>\n
Its processor also will send commands to the Ravens navigation system so it remains trained on the object it is tracking. <\/p>\n
Engineers on the ground will keep track of Ravens progress and adjust the device to increase its efficiency and accuracy. <\/p>\n
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NASA at work on autonomous space rendezvous technology - Computerworld<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Various companies may be working on self-driving cars, but NASA is about to launch technology to the International Space Station that could bring the agency closer to enabling rendezvous with a spacecraft without human intervention. A test module, dubbed Raven, will help NASA autonomously rendezvous with and dock with satellites traveling through space at more than 16,000 mph Continue reading