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MissionHow does DS1's mission compare to other space missions? |
Autonomy technology is any kind of technology that can function without being told what to do by a person on Earth. Robots in science fiction movies are a good example of autonomy technology. On DS1, the main forms of autonomy technology being tested are Remote Agent and AutoNav.
Autonomy technology is being developed as part of the New Millenuim Program because the more autonomously (or without help) a spacecraft is, the fewer communications resources are needed to give it orders and help it navigate, and thus fewer people need to be on the team to give and program orders. Also, if NASA wants to have many space missions going at once or if it wants space missions to travel far from Earth, the missions have to be autonomous.
What is the New Millennium Program?
What is AutoNav?
How does NASA communicate with spacecraft?
What is a remote agent?
