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Satellites Mating Via Robotic Arm

Roland Piquepaille writes "The launch of the Orbital Express mission, with its two satellites ASTRO and NextSat, the first one servicing the other, was widely covered a month ago. But what is happening in space now? In 'Robotic satellite servicer rehearsal underway in orbit,' Spaceflight Now reports about the progress done. A week ago, the two satellites were able to link to each other to operate the first transfer of hydrazine fuel from ASTRO's propellant tanks into NextSat. This weekend, ASTRO's ten-foot-long robotic arm is going to be used to move objects to NextSat. But what does it mean for international satellite operators when they need help with their space birds? Will they use a system designed for U.S.'s DARPA? "

91 comments

  1. rule 34 by Lehk228 · · Score: 5, Funny

    does this qualify as rule 34?

    --
    Snowden and Manning are heroes.
    1. Re:rule 34 by MobileTatsu-NJG · · Score: 2, Funny

      "does this qualify as rule 34?"

      Space Corp Directive #34 clearly states that no officers are to engage in oral sex while wearing dentures. I'm sorry sir, but I don't see how this applies to the situation.

      --

      "I like to lick butts!" by MobileTatsu-NJG (#32700246) (Score:5, Informative)

    2. Re:rule 34 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

      For people wondering: Rules of Internet
      That has rule 34 written all over.

    3. Re:rule 34 by nick_davison · · Score: 3, Funny

      Indeed it does. And YouTube apparently has the video.

      (Safe for work, not really safe to drink during)

  2. That's sick! by Xymor · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm gonna post that on 4chan.

  3. Robotic Arm? by jlindy · · Score: 5, Funny

    Sounds like their more at the foreplay stage.

    1. Re:Robotic Arm? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      That's no arm!

      Video at http://youtube.com/watch?v=_lnqIxv5uTY

      http://www.popsci.com/popsci/science/806ffb24a5f27 010vgnvcm1000004eecbccdrcrd/2.html

      The Worst Jobs in Science
      Pain, Tedium, Danger, Disgust, Humiliation--It's all just part of the average workday for the (often proud, more often smelly) members of our third annual honor roll of the Worst Jobs in Science

      By John Galvin | October 2005

      9. NASA Ballerina
      Her dance partner is a supersensitive Robot

      Give him an "A" for effort. Earlier this year NASA robot scientist Vladimir Lumelsky unveiled a revolutionary "skin" that will allow robots to sense the presence of astronauts and to move out of the way so that nobody gets hurt. Lumelsky's skin is being developed to assist in NASA's future space-exploration plans--trips that will rely heavily on robots. The current skin uses 1,000 infrared sensors to detect moving objects and then relays the data to the robot's "brain," which instantly signals the robot to skedaddle. Lumelsky envisions future skins with tens of thousands of infrared sensors able to withstand the extreme heat, cold and radiation of space travel. It's serious science, and Lumelsky, being a serious man, gave nary a thought to the fact that his prototype robot bears a striking resemblance to a giant phallus.

      For the 'bot's public debut he hired a leotard-clad ballerina to dance with it (see for yourself:www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/mpeg/115084m ain_ballerina.mpeg). "It takes two to tango," Lumelsky e-mailed us, somewhat exasperated. "The astronaut must be able to turn his back to the robot and expect it to act adequately, like a dance partner. Our system does this; no other such systems exist.

      "We humans are completely unprepared to see a machine behave (literally) like an animal," he added. "As with everything else in our culture, it wears off quickly, but it takes your breath away when seeing it for the first time." We'll say!


  4. I AM SO TURNED ON by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Redundant

    That description is incredibly erotic :3

    1. Re:I AM SO TURNED ON by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Oh yeah. I want to eat some satellite pussy.

    2. Re:I AM SO TURNED ON by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yes please?

    3. Re:I AM SO TURNED ON by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      wtf is happening on this site? Every story I read I get some crap about niggers, jews, fucking each other and all this. If you guys love each other sooooooo much please take it off site. I am sick reading this crap you all spew about whatever the fuck you are going on about.

    4. Re:I AM SO TURNED ON by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The drawball containment field has failed! Quick! Somebody get more ink!

    5. Re:I AM SO TURNED ON by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      SUGGESTION: Don't read -1 posts. That's why we have moderation.

  5. Servicing the other? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    So NextSat gave ASTRO a reach-around?

    1. Re:Servicing the other? by dr_dank · · Score: 1

      So NextSat gave ASTRO a reach-around?

      Rut-roh Rorge!

      --
      Where does the school board find them and why do they keep sending them to ME?
  6. Internet? by qbwiz · · Score: 3, Funny

    But what does it mean for international website operators when they need help to deliver their content? Will they use a system designed for U.S.'s DARPA?

    --
    Ewige Blumenkraft.
  7. The summary is mistaken by MutantHamster · · Score: 5, Funny

    If you do it with your arm it's not technically "mating."

    --
    My Greatest Heist - Muisc partly inspired by the unbeatable Qwantz
    1. Re:The summary is mistaken by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It is if there is a exchange of fluids.

      Fuel, check. Its sex! Just what till the explosive reentry!

    2. Re:The summary is mistaken by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      "I did not have sex with that satellite."

    3. Re:The summary is mistaken by Jeff+DeMaagd · · Score: 1

      Maybe it's not an arm.

    4. Re:The summary is mistaken by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      How about with a cigar?

    5. Re:The summary is mistaken by fishthegeek · · Score: 2, Funny

      Congratulations! You have just dashed the last hope of many of us here! I hope you're happy!

      --
      load "$",8,1
  8. wrong metaphor by lawpoop · · Score: 2, Insightful

    OK, these satellites aren't really mating. Are they exchange some kind of digital DNA or code? Is one going to become pregnant and reproduce?

    I'm all for understanding scientific miracles of progress in mythical or reverential terms at *some* level, but this one doesn't really fly with me. I would describe it more as doctoring or healing.

    --
    Computers are useless. They can only give you answers.
    -- Pablo Picasso
    1. Re:wrong metaphor by dave420 · · Score: 2, Funny

      Well, they're not doing much, so they're kind of just fucking with each other. I guess that's why they said "mating".

    2. Re:wrong metaphor by MBCook · · Score: 2, Informative

      Check out the entry on Dictionary.com. If you look under verb, the entry numbered 15 says:

      15. to connect or link: a telephone system mated to a computerized information service.

      It is a perfectly valid use, and not a metaphor. That said... you can see what people here at /. are think about when the word "mating" is used.

      --
      Comment forecast: Bits of genius surrounded by a sea of mediocrity.
    3. Re:wrong metaphor by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Well, there's some sort of fluid exchange involved, apparently.

    4. Re:wrong metaphor by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      There's a fluid transfer, going both ways... although ASTRO is clearly the dom.

    5. Re:wrong metaphor by MidnightBrewer · · Score: 1

      It's the correct usage of both servicing and mating. After all, regardless of whether or not you use a condom (arguably for the purpose of preventing the exchange of DNA and somebody becoming pregnant), it's still called mating. If you want, you could refer to it as regurgitating instead. :)

      --
      "Give a man fire, and he'll be warm for a day; set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life
    6. Re:wrong metaphor by stonecypher · · Score: 1

      OK, these satellites aren't really mating.

      Surprising as it might be to the language experts on Slashdot, "mating" means things other than sex. Call a plumber and ask them what mated joints are. The satellites really are mating.

      --
      StoneCypher is Full of BS
    7. Re:wrong metaphor by lawpoop · · Score: 1

      I stand corrected and better-informed.

      --
      Computers are useless. They can only give you answers.
      -- Pablo Picasso
  9. Don't Tell Roland and Zonk. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You'll destroy a beautiful relationship.

  10. Why? by WindBourne · · Score: 1

    Octopus would disagree with you. In addition, so would many of the artificial inseminators.

    Heck, there is even a case of a doc getting a BJ from another doc, and it turned out that she saved the sperm on the side and impregnated herself. Later, she was able to sue him in court for paternal support.

    --
    I prefer the "u" in honour as it seems to be missing these days.
    1. Re:Why? by Lehk228 · · Score: 1

      oh great, you just had to bring tentacles into this

      --
      Snowden and Manning are heroes.
  11. tagged boycottroland by MustardMan · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Two roland blogspam articles on the front page at the same time... it would be funny if it wasn't a shitcock earning money he doesn't deserve by whoring other peoples' work.

    1. Re:tagged boycottroland by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      it would be funny if it wasn't a shitcock earning money he doesn't deserve by whoring other peoples' work.

      Much like Slashdot, eh?

    2. Re:tagged boycottroland by Geoffreyerffoeg · · Score: 0

      Tagged "!boycottroland", because, um, it's not his website that he's linking to....

    3. Re:tagged boycottroland by geminidomino · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      Oops! Looks like Roland fucked up!

    4. Re:tagged boycottroland by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Roland stories haven't had his blog linked for like a year now. Time to get over it, before you fail at Internet.

    5. Re:tagged boycottroland by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      His articles get more painful each time he submits one.

      Mating? They were launched together and haven't even separated yet. They're doing preliminary tests of the fuel transfer system. Next they'll swap batteries (can't wait to hear the analogies on that one). Then they'll separate and come back together.

      Oh yeah, and don't forget how "widely covered" the launch was last month...by which he means a couple of space-related sites had articles on it.

      Finally, don't forget to close with a clumsy attempt to jumpstart discussion by asking a shortsited question not raised by the original article.

      Frankly, I've got no problems with the way Roland links articles now, since he's not simply plagiarizing them to his blog. However, they're some of the most poorly written drivel that ever makes it through the editors. He's worse than MSNBC about taking mildly interesting stories like this (or more often flat out boring non-stories) and trying to make them sound like the biggest thing happening in field X, from which we shall all reap consumer benefits in no time at all.

    6. Re:tagged boycottroland by Geoffreyerffoeg · · Score: 1

      Um, he hasn't been linking to his own sites for over a year, I think.

  12. Unfortunate word choice by edwardpickman · · Score: 1
    Satellites Mating Via Robotic Arm

    Does this qualify as a marital aid?

    1. Re:Unfortunate word choice by hey! · · Score: 1

      Unfortunate?

      Not as unfortunate as this "the first one servicing the other..."

      Sounds like satellite husbandry.

      --
      Post may contain irony: discontinue use if experiencing mood swings, nausea or elevated blood pressure.
  13. How much? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Would I have to give NASA to get serviced in space?

  14. Yeah well by iminplaya · · Score: 1

    At least they're doing it... in Space.

    --
    What?
  15. Won't be used by anyone else... by doctor_nation · · Score: 1

    I can guarantee no non-US agency or company will use DARPA's method any time soon. All space-related activity falls under International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), so it can't be shared with any non-US entity.

    1. Re:Won't be used by anyone else... by John+Hasler · · Score: 1

      You haven't the foggiest idea what you are talking about.

      --
      Warning: this article may contain humor, sarcasm, parody, and perhaps even irony. Read at your own risk.
    2. Re:Won't be used by anyone else... by dgbrownnt · · Score: 1

      Holy crap, people are actually talking about the article and not robots having sexual relations (or a lack thereof) in space!!

    3. Re:Won't be used by anyone else... by doctor_nation · · Score: 1

      Actually, I know exactly what I'm talking about. I have to deal with those restrictions myself- they directly affect the work I do. So I absolutely know what they mean. And I know for a fact that no technical information for anything that is planned to go into space can be released to a non-US entity (since 9/11). Broadly speaking, that includes any information that allows the device to be replicated- dimensions, detailed operation, schematics, etc. Although anything already in the public domain is OK.

    4. Re:Won't be used by anyone else... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Yeah, rather disappointing...

  16. What does it mean? What does THAT mean? by ScentCone · · Score: 4, Insightful

    But what does it mean for international satellite operators when they need help with their space birds? Will they use a system designed for U.S.'s DARPA?

    I don't know... what does it mean when an Airbus passenger jet needs help with a bad engine? That systems being built by the US to service their own flying hardware should also be set up to fix other countries'/consortiums' hardware? Would something designed by the European space entities/ventures be designed specifically to service both their stuff and everyone else's? Why is this question even being asked in this context? Oh, right... because it's flamebait, and that generates chit-chat, like this.

    --
    Don't disappoint your bird dog. Go to the range.
  17. obligatory in spaaaace by idonthack · · Score: 1

    Satellites Mating Via Robotic Arm ...in Spaaaace!

    --
    Why is it that when you believe something it's an opinion, but when I believe something it's a manifesto?
  18. bow chicka wow wow by LordGilman · · Score: 1

    I tagged this as "bowchickawowwow"

  19. FINALLY! by Wiarumas · · Score: 2, Funny

    FINALLY... my fetish has come true! Those pics were so HOT!

    --
    I will bend like a reed in the wind.
  20. The important question by PixieDust · · Score: 1

    Is who do i have to talk to to download my 1337 space robot porn? Is this a new marketing/fundraising tactic by NASA?

  21. WARNING: Parent link NSFW by frazzydee · · Score: 2, Informative

    Link in parent NSFW (contains hentai).

    The rule is: "Rule 34: If it exists there is porn of it. No exceptions."

  22. I, for one... by Wilson_6500 · · Score: 4, Funny

    ... am not going to make the obvious robot jokes.

    1. Re:I, for one... by Walt+Dismal · · Score: 1

      Overlords space arm robotic new our welcome, one for, I!

  23. One servicing the other by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Who is pitching? who is catching?

    1. Re:One servicing the other by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Do you mean Zonk and Roland?

  24. I hate to break it to you, friend by StarKruzr · · Score: 0, Troll

    ... but with the introduction of the Intel-based Mac came the beginning of the end of it being only for eyeliner-bedecked cutting losers like yourself.

    --

    +++ATH0
  25. Robo Fisting by Gojaroo · · Score: 1

    The porn of the future.

    1. Re:Robo Fisting by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Where KY Jelly is replaced with WD40

  26. Mating? Is that like making love? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Y'know, left, down, rotate sixty-two degrees, engage rotors...

  27. Why... by plasmoidia · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Why did the submitter have to phrase the title that way?! This is some really cool stuff. Yet as it is, I think I saw about three posts that did not in some way allude to sex.... *sigh* What are you to expect from the Slashdot crowd?

    Automated Rendezvous and Docking is an exciting field right now. Success of the Orbital Express mission is going to be a huge step forward (trying to be optimistic). The linked article looks pretty good. Space.com also has a good story on it.

    1. Re:Why... by Rakarra · · Score: 1
      Why did the submitter have to phrase the title that way?! This is some really cool stuff. Yet as it is, I think I saw about three posts that did not in some way allude to sex....

      The submitter has traditionally posted stories pointing to his blog as a way of getting hits. Therefore, he's gotten into the habit of posting things in provocative ways. "Robot satellites share resources in space" won't quite get the number of hits and comments that "Satellites mating via robotic arm" will. The quality of discussion is unimportant, he's looking for volume of discussion.

  28. Obligitary Futurama response by hack++slash · · Score: 2, Funny

    "I don't want people thinking we're robosexuals, so if anybody asks, you're my debugger." - Bender

    --
    To do something right, you often have to roll up your sleeves and get busy.
  29. Re:Mac Users Demand Anti-Windows Immigration Legis by wellingj · · Score: 1

    N/ot that it does any good to ask an AC anything, but what about Linux then?

  30. I give up by illegalcortex · · Score: 2, Funny

    Well, that's it, then. Even orbital satellites are getting more action than I am.

  31. robot in space by somebody1 · · Score: 1

    I'm a robot in space and I likes to ...

    http://www.gotdamnrekkids.com/Robot%20in%20Space.m p3

  32. Advanced Tehnology? by Reigo+Reinmets · · Score: 1

    I looked at TFA, and i watched the video and images in there, and came to a question:
    If my cellphone has a 3.2Mpx color camera built-in it, Why can't an expensive spacecraft like this have a decent COLOR camera?

    1. Re:Advanced Tehnology? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Does color allow you to better see things?
      Do you get to better assess the robots in question?

      Why is color important? other than it's pretty?

      You get better resolution with B/W anyway.

    2. Re:Advanced Tehnology? by iamacat · · Score: 1

      Maybe because your cellphone doesn't have to send pictures from space to mission control in adverse weather conditions?

  33. Stuck Here by karlandtanya · · Score: 1

    When you build a ship to sail deep space,
    you can't have a crew of mortal race;
    'cause a hundred years from star to star
    with a human crew is just too far.
    Think of all the beer you'd have to bring,
    not to mention...other necessities.

    So you fill your ship with a robot crew,
    you add a computer captain, too--
    you get some experience for free,
    from some old spacer's personality.
    Like some shuttle pilot who's just learned from his last mistake. ...That's where I come in.

    So, you find some bloke who's halfway dead,
    and you haul him home and you scan his head--
    And a hundred years of flyin' high is a damned good deal when you're about to die!
    'Till you've had a few decades to think about it.
    It gets lonely out in space.
    And a thousand frozen colonists don't count.

    Well, there beyond my solar sail
    are five hundred hunks of frozen tail.
    If I thawed one out (and I know I could)
    it wouldn't do me a bit of good.
    Don't have any damned body.
    Just this starship.

    Half a billion miles astern,
    it's another lonesome sucker's turn.
    So, I'll radio back and say "Hey, you!"
    Oh...I didn't know they took women, too.
    Lovely night out, tonight, isn't it?
    Gee, look at all them pretty stars.
    Yeah. Me too.

    So, we'll talk and murmer "I love you"
    like other star-crossed lovers do,
    and in eighty years, we've made a date!
    Ever see two starships mate?

    (That was from memory--Apologies to Frank Hayes for any mangling of his lyrics)

    --
    "Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, it doesn't go away." - Philip K. Dick
  34. Yep, too easy sex jokes and the main point is lost by JohnnyComeLately · · Score: 1
    I've seen a few birds spun up and super-synced because they were too low on Hyrdazine to be reliable for future stationkeeping maneauvers (*que sex jokes*). There are also uses for reducing the payload needed to put a satellite in orbit. Although orbital mechanics probably makes this less feasible, it's still an option available that wasn't (until this test proved the capability of the concept).

    To get specific, GPS satellites fire thrusters about twice a year to keep their orbit the right inclination, and the rotation the right speed (Delta V and Delta Yaw maneuvers). The satellites don't carry a whole lot of fuel for system design and weight reasons. The birds are built to last 5 years and have always had enough fuel for stationkeeping to outlive the 5. However, I've seen first generation (Block 1) last 13 years when only designed to live 2 (SVN3 for anyone who cares) as an R&D bird. Hence, current birds designed to last 5 can run out of Hydrazine at the 8 or 9 year mark. Those birds could be theoretically refuelled to last longer. A good rebuttal, however, could be the current birds are getting so cluttered that fuel is no longer a large cause for end-of-life super-sync.

    For the uninitiated, super-sync is where you boost the satellite far enough out that it won't pose a physical safety risk for that orbital slot. There are certain positions needed and if a dead satellite is there it renders it unusable (e.g. visualize a commercial airliner that gets a flat on the runway, and the runway is now permanently unusable....maintenance crews can't get to a satellite 12,000 miles away). You spin it up so that it remains stable due to gyroscopic forces. If it's spun up, and even super-synced, it's still somewhat usable in extreme circumstances (e.g. GulfWar I used a GPS bird previously unusable).

    Finally, my last point was in regards to satellites that use a lot of fuel. MILSTAR satellites perform thruster firings all the time and even do it automously (GPS is a big affair with lots of people on crew watching and commanding the firing....currently...newer ones are being built which MAY do it themselves). The satellite is extremely heavy, requiring the largest spacelift vehicles available for their 22,000 mile high orbit. If you could refuel at a orbital transfer point, it could reduce the weight at launch.

    Anyway, this comment will probably be lost in the sex jokes, but the implications of this are really cool for the space geek. For the other post about using it as a satellite killer...this is really something the US Military is trying to avoid. We could easily and completely render useless the asset of Space if we're not careful about debris. From a practical, and strategic standpoint, it's a bad idea. Sorta like briefcase nukes. Yeah, we can do it, but it's pretty stupid. (hence the nuclear artillary and briefcases are a relic from the 60s which likely will never be revisited).

  35. Re:ATTN: Windows/Linux refugees! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If you have nothing better to do all day than to struggle to prove the superiority of Macs (which would be apparent if they really were that good, right fuckface?), then you really need to GTFO.

  36. Arm... by session_start · · Score: 1

    So thats what these kids are calling it these days...

  37. That's Steve Savitzky, you insensitive clod. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
  38. Global Warming Game by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
  39. Could cause a known medical condition... by Puppet+Master · · Score: 1
    Robotic Elbow.

    --
    The day Microsoft creates a product that doesn't suck, it will be known as the Microsoft Vaccuum Cleaner!
  40. How long? by johnsonjii · · Score: 1

    How long before the baby satellites arrive?

  41. Starkruzr's a mixed up kid and liar, check it by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Check this out about starkruzr from his post history here at slashdot, and prepare to laugh your asses off about him and his problems telling the truth, or what sex he is even, hahahaha.

    Nobody should trust or believe anything you state starkruzr. You've been caught lying with your own words.

    Are you a girl, or boy? You are not sure yourself:

    "Also, I never said I was from Staten Island. You did. I never said I was the girl in that picture either, you did." - by StarKruzr (74642) on Thursday March 29, @06:16PM (#18536049)

    Nobody here at slashdot ever said you were a girl. Only you did:

    http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=227475&cid=184 94155

    "Okay, seriously. Let's drop the act. Okay? Yes? Let's quit pretending. I am quite male. I only said I was female to mess with your head." - by StarKruzr (74642) on Monday April 02, @08:18PM (#18581257)

    It is simple to see that starLOSER is just another arstechnica liar caught in it here with other reprehensible behavior via his own words quoted above from his post history here at slashdot.

    (Yes, the arstechnica member trend and typical pattern continues with starloser here as he is yet another BUSTED as a liar arstechnica loser wasting time on forums, talking big but having done zero himself, as is the arstechnica tradition. Yes, the arstechnica tradition haha, which is also noted in his latest posts like the url linkage above, and his insane rants stating everyone telling him he is acting like a jackass is some apk person. Starkruzr, take your paranoia meds.).

  42. "Check it?" by StarKruzr · · Score: 1

    Welcome to the late 80s, APK.

    --

    +++ATH0