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DART to rendezvous with Pentagon satellite

From the article:

NASA robotic spacecraft equipped with navigational computers and sensors was launched into orbit Friday to rendezvous with a Pentagon satellite without the help of astronauts or human controllers. If the $110 million mission is successful, it could lay the groundwork for future projects like robotic delivery of cargo to space shuttles and automated docking and repair between spacecraft in orbit.

Also:

DART was designed to catch up with the Pentagon satellite flying 472 miles above Earth. The satellite was launched in 1999 and carries special reflectors for use in guidance systems similar to the one aboard DART.

During the 24-hour mission, DART will attempt several automated tasks, including maneuvering around the satellite, making close approaches and moving away.

Update: The mission did not go completely according to plan (and they actually changed the MSNBC story after the fact), but the point is easy to see. We will have completely autonomous spacecraft flying around in not too long. See Robotic Nation for details.