**ATLAS V \u2013 STP-1 \u2013 Live Update and Launch Coverage \u2013 the most expansive and interactive live update coverage on the net**<\/em><\/p>\n **Free launch video** \u2018Orbital Express is a revolutionary system that will offer customers with appropriately configured on-orbit assets new options to enhance the operation of their systems,\u2019 said George Muellner, president of Boeing Advanced Systems. <\/p>\n \u2018This demonstration mission is the first step toward developing an operational system that can service satellites and support other space operations. Orbital Express continues our success in delivering solutions that shape new markets through the integration of people, innovation and technology.\u2019 <\/p>\n (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/p>\n Preview: The vehicle, flying in the 401 configuration (no boosters), is carrying 700 kg \u2013 ASTRO, NEXTSat \/ CSC, STPSat 1, CFESat, MidSTAR 1, FalconSat 3, MEPSI 4A and MEPSI 4B, <\/p>\n Orbital Express\u2019 ASTRO satellite servicing demonstrator \u2013 an innovative solution to the long-sought automated rendezvous and docking capabilities \u2013 could dramatically enhance government, military and commercial missions in space.<\/p>\n Orbital Express will deploy two test satellites: the Autonomous Space Transport Robotic Operations service vehicle, known as ASTRO, and the next generation serviceable satellite, known as NextSat, built by Ball Aerospace.<\/p>\n \u2018The goal of Orbital Express is to demonstrate on-orbit refueling, component exchange and satellite repair, all without a human operator,\u2019 said Marshall Space Flight Center\u2019s James Lee, project manager at NASA\u2019s Orbital Express Advanced Video Guidance Sensor, or AVGS, to the MSFC Star. That state-of-the-art system \u2013 built by Orbital Sciences \u2013 will substitute for a human pilot during portions of the Orbital Express mission.<\/p>\n \u2018Mounted on the service vehicle, the AVGS shoots infrared laser beams, which bounce off a pattern of reflective targets on NextSat,\u2019 explained Lee. \u2018The imager uses the position of these sensors to assess NextSat\u2019s distance, direction and speed. Guided by this real-time data, ASTRO adjusts its speed and angle of approach, safely closing the distance to dock with the client satellite. <\/p>\n \u2018The AVGS system is most accurate at close range. To seek out NextSat from 3-4 miles away, ASTRO also carries a sensor suite, the Autonomous Rendezvous and Capture Sensor System, or ARCSS, that includes long-, mid- and close-range sensors. ASTRO will use data from the ARCSS guidance sensors, comparing it to AVGS data to help verify accuracy of approach.<\/p>\n \u2018Seven test series will be conducted during the three-month mission. ASTRO and NextSat will conduct approach and docking maneuvers from starting points up to 4.3 miles away. Once mated, they\u2019ll also swap propellants and trade and install a functional battery and computer \u2013 the first unassisted component exchange in space history. Tests also will be conducted at different times of day, to see if the darkness on Earth\u2019s night side confuses the imaging system.<\/p>\n If successful, the technology could come into play with NASA\u2019s exploration plans, guiding robots that could lay the groundwork for future human expeditions. It could also solve issues associated with tricky repairs, and provide cost-effective options for placing and servicing permanent satellites in orbit around the moon or Mars.<\/p>\n \u2018When it comes to exploring new worlds, robots can\u2019t beat human beings for capturing the experience,\u2019 Lee added. \u2018But to make those human missions possible, we need to set the stage as completely as we can. Automation is crucial.\u2019<\/p>\n <\/font> **NASASpaceflight.com Job Opportunities**<\/em><\/font> <\/font><\/em><\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V 401 launch vehicle successfully launched Thursday night with a host of satellites for the US Air Force \u2013 called STP-1 \u2013 including Orbital Express\u2019 ASTRO and NEXTSat, which will test automated docking techniques for satellite refuelling. Despite some minor valve issues and a range safety hold, the Atlas […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-41778","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41778"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41778"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41778\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41778"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41778"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41778"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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The launch of the Atlas V was delayed recently due to a commonality concern between its core stage RD-180 and the Zenit 3SL\u2019s RD-171, which was involved with the January 30th Sea Launch failure.<\/p>\n<\/font><\/p>\n
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