DRAGONSat

ARD is the capability of two independent spacecraft to rendezvous in orbit and dock without crew intervention.One DRAGONSat was built by the University of Texas and the other one was built by Texas A and M University, the Space Shuttle Payload Launcher (SSPL), These satellite projects were planned to rendezvous and dock with each other in space without the benefit of human intervention.Both universities were required to use GPS receivers designed by NASA in order to determine its functionality.Each picosatellite is covered with photo-voltaic cells and will enable a longer active life in orbit.They were intended to be ejected as a pair and once at a safe distance from the Space Shuttle, they would separate and begin the experiment.
Space Shuttle EndeavourCOSPAR IDSATCAT no.Space ShuttleEndeavourKennedyLC-39AInclinationnanosatellitesglobal positioning systemUniversity of TexasTexas A and M Universitywithout the benefit of human interventionnavigationShuttlephoto-voltaic cellsdipole antennaground stationsSTS-127South AmericaUniversity of Texas at AustinTexas A&M UniversityCubeSatPicoSATWayback Machine