ATV to have autonomous docking?

According to this story on CNN, the ATV will have autonomous docking:

http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/space/0....ap/index.html

"Unique to American spacecraft, the plane will be designed to fly either
manned or unmanned. Smith said an auto guidance system will allow the plane
could be flown remotely to rendezvous and dock with the Space Station, and
then return to Earth. With no humans aboard, the craft could be used to haul
light cargo to the orbiting lab."
If such a system is being developed, could it be used for a larger unmanned
system to deliver large modules for when they finally retire the three
remaining shuttle orbiters?

I'm an idiot. I meant to say OSP, not ATV!!!!!


"Peter Altschuler" wrote in message
et...
According to this story on CNN, the ATV will have autonomous docking:


http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/space/0....ap/index.html

"Unique to American spacecraft, the plane will be designed to fly either
manned or unmanned. Smith said an auto guidance system will allow the
plane
could be flown remotely to rendezvous and dock with the Space Station, and
then return to Earth. With no humans aboard, the craft could be used to
haul
light cargo to the orbiting lab."
If such a system is being developed, could it be used for a larger
unmanned
system to deliver large modules for when they finally retire the three
remaining shuttle orbiters?

"Alan Erskine" writes:

"Peter Altschuler" wrote in message
et...
I'm an idiot. I meant to say OSP, not ATV!!!!!

I had wondered about that seeing ATV is Automated Transfer Vehicle - name
says it all.

For OSP to have an automated system though is... interesting. I hope the
commander and pilot will still have the necessary training for a manual
hookup.

I would think this automatic docking requirement is intended for the
cargo delivery to ISS mission.

The Level 1 requirements for OSP can be found at:
http://www.slinews.com/ospreq1.html

The requirement in question is:

4. The system shall provide contingency capability for cargo
delivery to or from the ISS to support a minimal level of
science.

Note you should also be able to do this by station keeping near enough
to ISS that the SSRMS can capture the vehicle.

Jeff
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