![]() ![]() Then it would place itself in a short-lifetime retirement orbit. DART apparently was then to move in to closer positions, and following these tests, begin moving away to determine how far the “close in” sensors operated. This was close enough to test the location sensors. The software was to move DART to a position 3 km behind MUBLCOM, then to within 1 km. NASA was to demonstrate that both the satellites with their on-board GPS alone could get the two satellites close enough for their “close-in” sensors to then operate and take over the rendezvous. DART’s software alone was supposed to guide the satellite to MUBLCOM. The following provides an overview of publicly releasable findings and recommendations regarding the DART mishap.” This restriction was based on International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).ĭART had GPS on-board, and sensors to locate the MUBLCOM satellite. Why so obscure? The report states: “…the DART mishap investigation report was deemed not releasable to the public. So one would expect a lot of detail, but the technical descriptions seem to be from an altitude of 10,000 meters. “This mishap category requires the most detailed level of investigation.” according to the report. ![]() Any loss of mission over one million dollars is called a “Type A” mishap. ![]() I will do my best to translate the main points made by the MIB (Mishap Investigations Board). So what happened? Well, reading the official report is tedious, its prose is opaque, and it took much of Ecuador’s coffee crop to get me through it. Unlike a Star Trek episode, they did not rebuild one another and take vengeance on their creators, they just continue to orbit above us. The mission ended when the DART made a bulls-eye with another satellite known as MUBLCOM. It was designed to demonstrate that a satellite, without guidance from the ground, could use computer software and sensors to navigate and rendezvous. This satellite in question has the unfortunate acronym of DART (Demonstration for Autonomous Rendezvous Technology). ![]()
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