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DART VEHICLE

The Demonstration for Autonomous Rendezvous Technology, or DART, is a flight demonstrator vehicle designed to test technologies required to locate and rendezvous with other spacecraft. The DART mission is unique in that all of the operations will be autonomous - there will be no astronaut onboard at the controls, only computers programmed to perform functions. Developed by Orbital Sciences Corporation of Dulles, Va., the DART vehicle will be launched on a Pegasus rocket to test rendezvous, close proximity operations and its control between the vehicle and a stationary satellite in orbit. The DART mission provides a key step in establishing autonomous rendezvous capability for the United States.
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For more information:

DART press kit
DART animation (QuickTime, 7.25 MB)
DART Flight Demonstrator completes design certification
DART artist concepts
DART fact sheet (PDF, 378 MB)



DART artwork, artist concepts, photos

Thumbnail links to high-resolution versions of photos.

Demonstrator for Autonomous Rendezvous Technology (DART) satellite prior to system level testing

A technician adjusts a sensor on the DART satellite prior to system level testing to ensure the vehicle and its systems are ready for flight. The DART flight demonstrator is designed to demonstrate technologies required for a spacecraft to locate and rendezvous with other craft in space. Scheduled for launch in fall 2004, DART will provide the groundwork for future manned and unmanned launch vehicle missions. (Image courtesy of Orbital Sciences Corporation)

Demonstrator for Autonomous Rendezvous Technology (DART) spacecraft begins system level testing

The DART spacecraft is readied for system level testing to ensure all spacecraft components and systems are ready for flight. The DART flight demonstrator is designed to demonstrate technologies required for a spacecraft to locate and rendezvous with other craft in space. Scheduled for launch in fall 2004, DART will provide the groundwork for future manned and unmanned launch vehicle missions. (Image courtesy of Orbital Sciences Corporation)

Demonstrator for Autonomous Rendezvous Technology (DART) vehicle in vibration tests

The DART vehicle, insulated with foil to protect components, is mounted to a vibration table for system vibration tests to validate that the vehicle can withstand the induced environments during the boost period of launch. The DART flight demonstrator is designed to demonstrate technologies required for a spacecraft to locate and rendezvous with other craft in space. Scheduled for launch in fall 2004, DART will provide the groundwork for future manned and unmanned launch vehicle missions. (Image courtesy of Orbital Sciences Corporation)

Pegasus vehicle in its separate stages

The Pegasus launch vehicle, similar to one shown in storage in this photograph in its separate stages, will carry the Demonstrator for Autonomous Rendezvous Technology (DART) spacecraft into orbit. The DART flight demonstrator is designed to demonstrate technologies required for a spacecraft to locate and rendezvous with other craft in space. Scheduled for launch in fall 2004, DART will provide the groundwork for future manned and unmanned launch vehicle missions. (Image courtesy of Orbital Sciences Corporation)

Demonstrator for Autonomous Rendezvous Technology (DART) readied for launch

The DART spacecraft, wrapped in gold foil at left, and the three stages of the Pegasus vehicle are undergoing integration checkout at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The DART flight demonstrator is designed to demonstrate technologies required for a spacecraft to locate and rendezvous with other craft in space. Scheduled for launch in fall 2004, DART will provide the groundwork for future manned and unmanned launch vehicle missions. (Image courtesy of Orbital Sciences Corporation)

Pegasus vehicle is readied for launch

The Demonstrator for Autonomous Rendezvous Technology (DART) spacecraft will be launched and carried into orbit aboard a Pegasus launch vehicle, shown here as it was readied for an earlier launch with all of its stages and wings attached. The DART flight demonstrator is designed to demonstrate technologies required for a spacecraft to locate and rendezvous with other craft in space. Scheduled for launch in fall 2004, DART will provide the groundwork for future manned and unmanned launch vehicle missions. (Image courtesy of Orbital Sciences Corporation)

Demonstrator for Autonomous Rendezvous Technology (DART) artist concept

Artist concept of Demonstration for Autonomous Rendezvous Technology (Image courtesy of Orbital Sciences Corporation)

The Demonstrator for Autonomous Rendezvous Technology (DART) is an advanced flight demonstrator designed to demonstrate technologies required for a spacecraft to locate and rendezvous with other craft in space. Scheduled for launch in fall 2004, DART provides a key step in establishing autonomous rendezvous capabilities for the U.S. space program. (Image courtesy of Orbital Sciences Corporation)

Pegasus Launch Vehicle, mated to the Stargazer L-1011 aircraft

The Pegasus launch vehicle is mated to the Stargazer L-1011 aircraft at Vandenburg Air Force base in Calif., for an earlier launch. The Demonstrator for Autonomous Rendezvous Technology (DART) flight demonstrator will be launched on a similar Pegasus launch vehicle to demonstrate technologies required for a spacecraft to locate and rendezvous with other craft in space. Scheduled for launch in fall 2004, DART will help lay the groundwork for future reusable manned and unmanned launch vehicle missions. (Image courtesy of Orbital Sciences Corporation)

The Demonstrator for Autonomous Rendezvous Technology (DART), prepared for flight

Two technicians from Orbital Sciences Corporation add protective foil to the DART flight demonstrator. The DART flight demonstrator is designed to demonstrate technologies required for a spacecraft to locate and rendezvous with other craft in space. Scheduled for launch in fall 2004, DART will help lay the groundwork for future reusable manned and unmanned launch vehicle missions. (Image courtesy of Orbital Sciences Corporation)

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DART news

09/30/04 - NASA Spacecraft Moves One Step Closer to Fall Launch

07/16/03 - Autonomous rendezvous spacecraft arrives at Vandenberg

DART photos