Intro music.
DART, short for Demonstration of Autonomous Rendezvous Technology is NASA's newest flight demonstrator for unpiloted test operations.
The 6 foot long by 3 foot diameter spacecraft weighs about 800 pounds, complete with fuel.
DART will be propelled into a polar orbit by a Pegasus vehicle launched from the belly of a L-1011 Stargazer aircraft.
The fourth stage of the launch vehicle will share electronics and propulsion components with the DART spacecraft.
DART will use its Advanced Video Guidance Sensor or AVGS software to automatically locate the chosen satellite.
The sophisticated optics and electronics will allow DART
to communicate and maneuver toward and away from the satellite using the AVGS and Global Positioning System.
The DART mission will be concluded within 24 hours and will be accomplished without human interaction.
DART is NASA's shining example of technology that will move the Agency towards safer, more reliable and affordable access to space.