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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? "

22 of 91 comments (clear)

  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.

  4. 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.
  5. 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: 2, Funny

      "I did not have sex with that satellite."

    2. 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
  6. 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.
  7. 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?

  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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."

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

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

  12. 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.

  13. 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.
  14. I give up by illegalcortex · · Score: 2, Funny

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