Author Topic: LIVE: Dnepr launch - Prisma (Mango+Tango) and Picard - June 15, 2010 (Read 49677 times)

eeergo · « **on:** 03/16/2010 05:32 pm »

There's a new interesting article about one of Prisma's technology demonstration objectives (a safer-to-handle RCS thruster with non-hydrazine monopropellants) in ESA's website:

http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMPJQ9KF6G_index_0.html

so I thought I would start a thread about this launch with still TBD launch date (probably waiting on Cryosat 2's launch?)

Some background on Picard:

http://smsc.cnes.fr/PICARD/

and more about Prisma:

http://www.ssc.se/?id=7611

anik · « **Reply #1 on:** 03/16/2010 07:53 pm »

Quote from: eeergo on 03/16/2010 05:32 pm

probably waiting on Cryosat 2's launch?

No, Russia is waiting permission from Kazakhstan for using its territory for a falling of the first stage of Dnepr rocket.

arkaska · « **Reply #2 on:** 04/01/2010 02:27 pm »

Prisma is also waiting for permission before it can be transported to Russia. It was supposed to leave Sweden on the 17th but its still in Sweden since it hasn't obtained permission get.

Is it a done deal that it won't launch in April? A few weeks ago they talked about pushing it from the 6th to 13th of April. I guess they can't make April 13th since the satellite hasn't arrived at the launch site yet.

osiossim · « **Reply #3 on:** 04/02/2010 06:18 am »

Quote from: arkaska on 04/01/2010 02:27 pm

Prisma is also waiting for permission before it can be transported to Russia. It was supposed to leave Sweden on the 17th but its still in Sweden since it hasn't obtained permission get.

Is it a done deal that it won't launch in April? A few weeks ago they talked about pushing it from the 6th to 13th of April. I guess they can't make April 13th since the satellite hasn't arrived at the launch site yet.

Accoding to this link; http://www.ssc.se/?id=5104&cid=16050&DivId=&Year=2010 new launch date will be set in April. So, it cannot be in April due to logistics reasons.

You mentioned about permission. Is it a permission from Swedish Government or are you talking about drop zone permission from Kazakhstan?

arkaska · « **Reply #4 on:** 04/02/2010 08:19 am »

Quote from: osiossim on 04/02/2010 06:18 am

You mentioned about permission. Is it a permission from Swedish Government or are you talking about drop zone permission from Kazakhstan?

It's a permission on the Russian side. I don't now if it's customs permission or if it's launch permission. But it causes delays for shipping of the satellite to Russia.

arkaska · « **Reply #5 on:** 05/12/2010 02:19 pm »

The Prisma satellite is still in Sweden and there is still no decision on when a launch can take place.

Here are a photo of Prisma Mango the larger of the two satellites ready for shipping to Rusia and also a photo of the new Prisma MCC that's being set up.

anik · « **Reply #6 on:** 05/13/2010 05:28 pm »

http://www.kosmotras.ru/news/84/

The permission from Kazakhstan for this launch was gotten on April 7. Prisma and Picard satellites will arrive to Dombarovskiy cosmodrome on May 19 and May 21 respectively. The launch is planned on June 15.

arkaska · « **Reply #7 on:** 05/13/2010 09:06 pm »

That really but good news. On the official Prisma blog they wrote just a few days ago that they are still waiting for a decision when to ship the satellite

Danderman · « **Reply #8 on:** 05/13/2010 09:15 pm »

Since there are problems with both the Yasny and Baikonur Cosmodromes, I wonder if there is some other place to launch Dneprs from that wouldn't cause so many problems, but be reasonably cheap.

arkaska · « **Reply #9 on:** 05/19/2010 09:37 am »

Prisma has left Sweden and are on it's way to the launch site.

http://www.rymdbolaget.se/?id=5104&cid=16463

osiossim · « **Reply #10 on:** 05/20/2010 12:37 pm »

Prisma's last journey on ground

http://www.rymdbolaget.se/?id=5104&cid=16618&DivId=&Year=2010

arkaska · « **Reply #11 on:** 05/23/2010 06:17 pm »

Both the Prisma and Picard satellites have arrived in the white room in Yasny.

First photo shows the Prisma satellites in the canisters outside the white room. Second photo shows the Prisma satellites as they are being as they are being unpacked. Last one shows the Swedish (Prisma) and French (Picard) team in Yasny.

arkaska · « **Reply #12 on:** 05/27/2010 06:19 am »

Prisma has gone trough leak-checks and radio tests. Will start tanking next week before the last tests are preformed.

First photo shows the crew preparing for tanking.
Second photo is a close-up of Tango
Third photo is the Prisma satellites to the right (Tango top, Mango bottom) and Picard to the left.
Forth photo shows Tango hanging in the air.

arkaska · « **Reply #13 on:** 06/06/2010 02:44 pm »

Prisma is now stacked underneath Picard in the Dnepr faring and the team is now finished with the satellites before launch.

Cbased · « **Reply #14 on:** 06/11/2010 01:11 pm »

Apparently, there will be another experiment launched as part of this mission. BPA-1. (which roughly translates as "Block of Perspective Avionics-1")
It is permanently attached to the 3rd stage. This block is built by the Ukrainian company "Hartron-Arkos". Purpose: testing of navigation equipment for civil planes and spacecrafts.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #15 on:** 06/15/2010 02:59 am »

If someone can find a webcast link for this, we'll move it for live coverage.

scotty125 · « **Reply #16 on:** 06/15/2010 03:16 am »

Quote from: Chris Bergin on 06/15/2010 02:59 am

If someone can find a webcast link for this, we'll move it for live coverage.

This link http://www.prismasatellites.se/prismaenglish goes to SSC's Prisma page. There are links to the upcoming webcast (in Swedish) along with an events page and Twitter feed.

Too much to hope the Bikini Team will be doing the commentary...

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #17 on:** 06/15/2010 03:22 am »

Thanks Scotty. Moved for live coverage.

Silmfeanor · « **Reply #18 on:** 06/15/2010 12:20 pm »

"Dnepr is ready for launch today at 14:42:16 UTC"
from
http://twitter.com/Swedish_Space

Nicolas PILLET · « **Reply #19 on:** 06/15/2010 01:12 pm »

Launch should be retransmitted on this adress :

http://www.mativi-toulouse.fr/

(click on the upper right corner after 13h20 GMT).

Nicolas PILLET · « **Reply #20 on:** 06/15/2010 01:27 pm »

Beginning of the webcast !

Famous French journalist Alain Cirou is the commentator.

http://www.mativi-toulouse.fr/live/

Satori · « **Reply #21 on:** 06/15/2010 01:30 pm »

Sven Grahn making the comments in swedish.

Satori · « **Reply #22 on:** 06/15/2010 01:31 pm »

Quote from: Nicolas PILLET on 06/15/2010 01:27 pm

Beginning of the webcast !

Famous French journalist Alain Cirou is the commentator.

http://www.mativi-toulouse.fr/live/

Great! Thanks for the link!

Any link for VLC?

Satori · « **Reply #23 on:** 06/15/2010 01:42 pm »

T-1h!

Satori · « **Reply #24 on:** 06/15/2010 01:49 pm »

Commentary from Yasni...

Danderman · « **Reply #25 on:** 06/15/2010 02:23 pm »

About 18 minutes and some seconds left before launch.

Satori · « **Reply #26 on:** 06/15/2010 02:25 pm »

Danderman · « **Reply #27 on:** 06/15/2010 02:25 pm »

They are showing the initial orbits of the satellites, with a black dot shown in the country of Oman. This is the location of a tracking station that Kosmotras has set up, specifically to monitor the early phase of flight for Dnepr.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #28 on:** 06/15/2010 02:27 pm »

My classroom French is being put to the test, but they are having a roundtable debate on PICARD. They are also talking about PRISMA, and funny how they note the "rendezvous and formation flying" in English.

Nice Ariane 5 model in the studio.

Satori · « **Reply #29 on:** 06/15/2010 02:28 pm »

T-15m...

Spiff · « **Reply #30 on:** 06/15/2010 02:28 pm »

Well, you can't really call 'rendez-vous' English now can you?

Edit: nevermind, Chris changed his comment.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #31 on:** 06/15/2010 02:32 pm »

Quote from: Spiff on 06/15/2010 02:28 pm

Well, you can't really call 'rendez-vous' English now can you?

Edit: nevermind, Chris changed his comment.

I meant the entire phrase

Danderman · « **Reply #32 on:** 06/15/2010 02:35 pm »

Hmmm .. now its a French talk show.

Satori · « **Reply #33 on:** 06/15/2010 02:36 pm »

T-5m...

Spiff · « **Reply #34 on:** 06/15/2010 02:36 pm »

yeah, I noticed the emphasis too late.

Meanwhile, lots of talking, not so many pictures. And my French is pretty 'merde'.

Satori · « **Reply #35 on:** 06/15/2010 02:38 pm »

Live from Yasni

Silmfeanor · « **Reply #36 on:** 06/15/2010 02:39 pm »

Quote from: Satori on 06/15/2010 02:38 pm

Live from Yasni

where do you get this from? im still just seeing a french talk show

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #37 on:** 06/15/2010 02:39 pm »

They've got one of the Swedish controllers on the phone....who's speaking in English.

Satori · « **Reply #38 on:** 06/15/2010 02:40 pm »

Quote from: Silmfeanor on 06/15/2010 02:39 pm

Quote from: Satori on 06/15/2010 02:38 pm
Live from Yasni

where do you get this from? im still just seeing a french talk show

http://www.rymdkanalen.se/live

Danderman · « **Reply #39 on:** 06/15/2010 02:42 pm »

Initiation of launch sequence confirmed.

Danderman · « **Reply #40 on:** 06/15/2010 02:42 pm »

Liftoff!

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #41 on:** 06/15/2010 02:43 pm »

Launch via CGI graphics. No live cameras that I can see.

Silmfeanor · « **Reply #42 on:** 06/15/2010 02:43 pm »

Max-Q...

Satori · « **Reply #43 on:** 06/15/2010 02:44 pm »

Danderman · « **Reply #44 on:** 06/15/2010 02:45 pm »

2nd stage ignition confirmed.

Satori · « **Reply #45 on:** 06/15/2010 02:45 pm »

Danderman · « **Reply #46 on:** 06/15/2010 02:45 pm »

Telemetry now being received at Baikonur tracking facilities.

Satori · « **Reply #47 on:** 06/15/2010 02:46 pm »

Did anyone else noted the phrase "launch aborted"?

Bubbinski · « **Reply #48 on:** 06/15/2010 02:46 pm »

The screen ticker alternates between reporting "OK" and "reporting anomaly aboard the rocket". Hmm...

Bubbinski · « **Reply #49 on:** 06/15/2010 02:47 pm »

Shouldn't the fairing be separated by now?

Ah ok....they said upper fairing sep confirmed.

Danderman · « **Reply #50 on:** 06/15/2010 02:48 pm »

349 seconds - third stage engine nominal.

Fairing jettisoned.

Satori · « **Reply #51 on:** 06/15/2010 02:49 pm »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #52 on:** 06/15/2010 02:49 pm »

Claiming it's nominal at 400 seconds.

Danderman · « **Reply #53 on:** 06/15/2010 02:51 pm »

OK, what tracking facility is receiving this telemetry?

Satori · « **Reply #54 on:** 06/15/2010 02:51 pm »

Danderman · « **Reply #55 on:** 06/15/2010 02:52 pm »

At 500 seconds, the Oman tracking facility is picking up the signal.

Satori · « **Reply #56 on:** 06/15/2010 02:52 pm »

Quote from: Danderman on 06/15/2010 02:51 pm

OK, what tracking facility is receiving this telemetry?

Oman?

Silmfeanor · « **Reply #57 on:** 06/15/2010 02:52 pm »

CGI stream switched between " launch aborted " - "anomaly reported on vehicle" to " everything is nominal" -
could it be that it is directly plugged into telemetry data, which might drop out / get some small interference now and then, and that this is directly reported to the streaming software?

What other reasons could there be for this weird switching? Everything is nominal as far as I can tell.

Satori · « **Reply #58 on:** 06/15/2010 02:54 pm »

Danderman · « **Reply #59 on:** 06/15/2010 02:55 pm »

Quote from: Satori on 06/15/2010 02:52 pm

Quote from: Danderman on 06/15/2010 02:51 pm
OK, what tracking facility is receiving this telemetry?

Oman?

I was questioning the telemetry reception just before the rocket came into view of Oman.

BTW, attached is a photo of the Oman telemetry station.

Spiff · « **Reply #60 on:** 06/15/2010 02:55 pm »

Everything reported nominal at 730 seconds

Silmfeanor · « **Reply #61 on:** 06/15/2010 02:56 pm »

still nominal at 860 secs.

Spiff · « **Reply #62 on:** 06/15/2010 02:57 pm »

OK at 850 seconds

Spiff · « **Reply #63 on:** 06/15/2010 02:58 pm »

Prisma separation confirmed!

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #64 on:** 06/15/2010 02:59 pm »

Wow, a convoy of seps there!

Claiming success, nicely done.

Satori · « **Reply #65 on:** 06/15/2010 02:59 pm »

Silmfeanor · « **Reply #66 on:** 06/15/2010 02:59 pm »

aand all seperations confirmed - mission launch was a succes.

Satori · « **Reply #67 on:** 06/15/2010 03:01 pm »

Congrats to Cosmotras for a successful launch...

Spiff · « **Reply #68 on:** 06/15/2010 03:07 pm »

Nice launch again. I like the eventful Dnepr launches with the silo launch, turning 3rd stage, and drop'em satellites.

Now with Soyuz TMA-19 tonight, that's 3 launches within 24 hours!

Silmfeanor · « **Reply #69 on:** 06/15/2010 03:15 pm »

Quote from: Spiff on 06/15/2010 03:07 pm

Nice launch again. I like the eventful Dnepr launches with the silo launch, turning 3rd stage, and drop'em satellites.
Now with Soyuz TMA-19 tonight, that's 3 launches within 24 hours!

Indeed! the "backwards flying" makes for some interesting moves.

I see we also got an article up for this launch:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2010/06/dnepr-launch-with-swedish-and-french-satellites/

One thing; from the article:

Quote

being expelled like a mortar round with a charge of black powder, before the main engine ignition some 30 m above the ground.

If I remember right the black powder has been replaced by pressurized gas or atleast a gas explosion? I cant remember the source, perhaps the previous dnepr launch.

Martin.cz · « **Reply #70 on:** 06/15/2010 03:35 pm »

I think theay are still using black powder, as mentioned in this reacent video from TV Roskosomos at about 1:40:
("prachovoy akumulator" -> (black?) powder accumulator)
BTW:
2:00 -> the "mortar" after launch
2:30 -> the "rocket wheals" after launch

Silmfeanor · « **Reply #71 on:** 06/15/2010 03:43 pm »

thanks, after some googeling around I found this link:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/jonathanamos/2010/03/riding-the-strangest-rocket-in.shtml
with the quote:

Quote

At launch, a black powder charge underneath the vehicle produces rapidly expanding gases that pop the Dnepr up out of the ground like a champagne cork.

I think this was the source of my misunderstanding; instead of a direct-contact explosion type its the gases generated by an explosion that push it out.
Also, thanks for the video!

mdo · « **Reply #72 on:** 06/15/2010 03:56 pm »

Does anyone recognize the tool(s) used by http://www.rymdkanalen.se/live for showing ground track (1) and animation of ascent (2)?

Cheers.

Yarrah · « **Reply #73 on:** 06/15/2010 04:05 pm »

I've seen some sites mentioning 'BPA-1' as another payload on this flight. Any idea what this might be? Just a dummy payload?

Johnny Rönnberg · « **Reply #74 on:** 06/15/2010 04:19 pm »

Esrange and Swedish Space Corporation have contact with Prisma.

Satori · « **Reply #75 on:** 06/15/2010 04:19 pm »

Quote from: Yarrah on 06/15/2010 04:05 pm

I've seen some sites mentioning 'BPA-1' as another payload on this flight. Any idea what this might be? Just a dummy payload?

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=20881.msg604706#msg604706

Johnny Rönnberg · « **Reply #76 on:** 06/15/2010 04:24 pm »

All rapports from Prisma is normal.

osiossim · « **Reply #77 on:** 06/15/2010 04:26 pm »

Great news for SSC. They have been waiting for this moment for a long long time.

What about Picard? Any contact yet?

Satori · « **Reply #78 on:** 06/16/2010 10:01 pm »

Launch image from ISC Kosmotras

Nicolas PILLET · « **Reply #79 on:** 06/16/2010 10:23 pm »

Warning !! This picture shows the launch of CryoSat-2 !

This is picture n°75 in my gallery : http://www.kosmonavtika.com/lancements/2010/08042010/08042010photos.html

tonthomas · « **Reply #80 on:** 06/17/2010 04:59 am »

So sad... Kosmotras marks a new example for really bad information management in some parts of space industry. Do they think people are so stupid everywhere that no one will recognize?

Thanks Nicolas for the hint.

Thomas

osiossim · « **Reply #81 on:** 06/17/2010 06:45 am »

Quote from: tonthomas on 06/17/2010 04:59 am

So sad... Kosmotras marks a new example for really bad information management in some parts of space industry. Do they think people are so stupid everywhere that no one will recognize?

Thanks Nicolas for the hint.

Thomas

Thomas, could you be more spesific?

Prisma launch video here; http://www.1tv.ru/news/techno/156176

Satori · « **Reply #82 on:** 06/17/2010 07:58 am »

Quote from: Nicolas PILLET on 06/16/2010 10:23 pm

Warning !! This picture shows the launch of CryoSat-2 !

This is picture n°75 in my gallery : http://www.kosmonavtika.com/lancements/2010/08042010/08042010photos.html

Oh! Thanks for that Nicolas! probably it womt matter, but I'll send a note about that to Kosmotras. They shouldn't do this kind of bad info.

tonthomas · « **Reply #83 on:** 06/18/2010 09:41 am »

CNES is showing a different launch photo received from Kosmotras there:

http://www.cnes.fr/imagezoom.php?location=public&file=p8589_a2fa690331f41617f30924ebd93bc436Dnepr-29Jun04.jpg&label=Successful+launch+of+the+converted+Dnepr+missile+Tuesday+15+June+from+Yasny%2C+Russia.+Credits%3A+Kosmotras.

The size of the shm imho fits better for prisma/picard related to the rocket body. For cryosat 2 a higher shm was used.

Thomas

Satori · « **Reply #84 on:** 06/18/2010 09:47 am »

Quote from: tonthomas on 06/18/2010 09:41 am

CNES is showing a different launch photo received from Kosmotras there:

Thomas

Checking the file name of the photo there is a date there '26Jun04'. This was the launch date of Demeter from Baykonur with Dnepr (4503341631). So, probably this wont also be the launch of Prisma and Picard!

tonthomas · « **Reply #85 on:** 06/18/2010 09:49 am »

Smaller shm, but different launch again. $:-\$

Oh, and CNES showed the photo earlier:

http://www.cnes.fr/imagezoom.php?location=public&file=p2362_56e2c2eb9d1d089ee42430cf1a5889c7pr_lancement.jpg&label=Lancement+de+DEMETER.
http://www.cnes.fr/web/CNES-fr/2362-lancement-reussi-pour-demeter-.php

jan_carlo_bascu · « **Reply #86 on:** 06/20/2010 05:35 am »

Maybe this is the only oficcial launch picture, but is a sequence :/

jan_carlo_bascu · « **Reply #87 on:** 06/20/2010 05:37 am »

Another launch video

Nicolas PILLET · « **Reply #88 on:** 06/20/2010 10:40 am »

Quote from: jan_carlo_bascu on 06/20/2010 05:35 am

Maybe this is the only oficcial launch picture, but is a sequence :/

Your picture is named "lancement_demeter", which means "launch of Demeter" !

Nicolas PILLET · « **Reply #89 on:** 06/20/2010 10:41 am »

I think there is a chance that this picture (found on NKAUs website) is a real picture of this launch.

http://www.nkau.gov.ua/nsau/newsnsau.nsf/mainsubjectsU/3D8FEE31D212FFD6C2257743005533DB?openDocument&Lang=U

Nicolas PILLET · « **Reply #90 on:** 06/20/2010 10:44 am »

According to this page, BPA-1's goal is to test technologies for the Tsyklon-4 future launcher.

http://www.nkau.gov.ua/NSAU/catalognew.nsf/zapuskbydataU!searchview&SearchOrder=4&query=%28field%20RN%20contains%20%D0%94%D0%BD%D0%B5%D0%BF%D1%80%29

tonthomas · « **Reply #91 on:** 06/20/2010 12:35 pm »

Quote from: Nicolas PILLET on 06/20/2010 10:41 am

I think there is a chance that this picture (found on NKAUs website) is a real picture of this launch.

http://www.nkau.gov.ua/nsau/newsnsau.nsf/mainsubjectsU/3D8FEE31D212FFD6C2257743005533DB?openDocument&Lang=U

No, I don´t think so. Shm too large. PRISMA/PICARD shm also is coloured green (see http://www.prismasatellites.se/?id=9005&cid=9005&date=2010-06). May be the launch of Cryosat 2 again with it´s larger, green and black coloured shm...

Thomas

osiossim · « **Reply #92 on:** 07/19/2010 05:26 am »

http://sverigesradio.se/cgi-bin/International/nyhetssidor/amnessida.asp?programID=2054&Nyheter=0&grupp=3576&artikel=3830603

What now?

Space Pete · « **Reply #93 on:** 08/12/2010 07:54 pm »

Prisma Satellites: "Tango Separation Successful".
www.prismasatellites.se/target-separation.aspx

Swedish Space Corporation: "The Swedish Prisma satellites have separated".
www.ssc.se/?id=5104&cid=17201

Space Pete · « **Reply #94 on:** 10/05/2010 07:52 pm »

PRISMA: DLR experiment on autonomous satellite formation flight begins.

The primary objective of the Swedish satellite mission PRISMA is to demonstrate autonomous onboard control of satellite formation flying and close approach to other spacecraft. The German Aerospace Centre's (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) involvement in the project includes an innovative real-time navigation system that uses GPS measurements to present continuous, ultra-precise data on positions of the satellites and their relative separation. The first DLR experiment began on 29 September 2010, after the first project phase was completed. The primary feature is the commencement of autonomous formation flight.

"Autonomous formation flight will enable new scientific missions and autonomous rendezvous operations in the future. Rendezvous operations are a major prerequisite for orbital inspection and servicing missions," explains Professor Felix Huber, Director of DLR Space Operations and Astronaut Training.

Expertise sourced from Oberpfaffenhofen.

The two satellites, named Mango and Tango, were launched on 15 June 2010 and were initially mated together. After successful separation, they orbited Earth following closely linked paths, moving further apart and closer together. This gives the team of researchers the world's first system for testing different processes in autonomous formation flight and satellite rendezvous. The project uses a number of different measurement systems and a propulsion system that controls the path of the larger satellite Mango in relation to its smaller partner, Tango.

The GPS receiver used in the navigation system, developed by DLR's German Space Operations Center in Oberpfaffenhofen (GSOC), is barely the size of a credit card. GSOC also developed the entire Guidance, Navigation and Control System. Data from the Tango GPS receiver is sent to the main satellite, Mango. By comparing them with the GPS data from the receiver on Mango, the distance between the satellites can be determined to within 10 centimetres, in real time. Mango can use this information to control its path in relation to Tango with absolute precision, and autonomously follow a pre-set flight path.

As part of its ground segment role for the PRISMA mission, GSOC is responsible for precise orbit determination. This has an accuracy in the centimetre range, a prerequisite for setting and checking the other measurement systems.

PRISMA – a twin-pack around Earth.

The PRISMA mission was designed and implemented by the Swedish Space Corporation, SSC, which was responsible for developing and building the satellites, and is currently overseeing the project operation. Along with DLR, the French space agency, CNES, and the Danish Technical University are involved in the mission as international partners, with their formation flight sensor and approach navigation camera system.

The partners will test a number of different formation flight and rendezvous concepts using PRISMA over the next few weeks and months. When the first experiment is completed and evaluated, DLR will carry out further technology experiments in satellite guidance, navigation and control. The autonomous formation flight processes developed excel in their particularly high level of safety and minimal fuel consumption. Future radar satellites or missions to measure Earth's gravity field are just two examples of endeavours that could benefit from this work.

A further important step in the PRISMA mission will be when GSOC takes over operational control in spring 2011. Then, DLR will be engaged in key operations for both space and ground segments. A long-term objective of this involvement is to prepare and test rendezvous and docking manoeuvres that will be required for on-orbit servicing missions or, more generally, in space robotics.

www.dlr.de/en/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-1/86_read-26824/