Spaceflight Formation Flying Test Bed Takes Off

coondoggie writes "Getting complicated systems onboard a single spacecraft to operate as one integrated unit can be hard enough, but some space agencies are trying to address the challenges of getting multiple spacecraft to fly in formation and operate together as one unit. Such challenges are exactly what a new European Space Agency lab in the Netherlands is set to address. The test bed addresses crucial operational factors for formation flying, including mission and vehicle management, guidance navigation, dealing with faults and communicating between satellites."

Comments

awkward headline

[jewishbaconzombies]

At first glance all I can think of is Serta Sleepers being thrown into space.

Liftoff! We have liftoff of Stainy One, ushering in America's new in-orbit dumping of unwanted mattresses. Next month will see the launch of Smelly Two.

Re:It will be a critical ability.

[geekoid]

Man, you must just about have an anurism every time you read "space flight".

Bottom line,. people will use the term fly. get use to it.

Prior Art from the 80s

[RobK]

Wasn't this solved in Galaga?

Re:Prior Art from the 80s

[JustOK]

Space Invaders!