* Astronomy

Blobrana · L

RE: Ariane5 ES-ATV

Blobrana · L

In just a few days time, the historic Jules Verne mission will draw to an end. After the ATV Control Centre commands the opening of the Automated Transfer Vehicle hooks, ESA's first resupply and reboost vehicle will perform a fully automated undocking with the International Space Station on 5 September at 23:30 CEST (21:30 UT). The undocking of the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) will conclude the remarkably successful five-month attached phase of the mission, and mark the end of Jules Verne's main servicing mission to deliver cargo, propellant, water, oxygen and propulsion capacity to the Station. Since its perfect launch on 9 March, Jules Verne ATV has achieved each scheduled objective and much more.

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-- Edited by Blobrana at 17:46, 2008-09-03

Blobrana · L

The European Space Agency's Jules Verne spacecraft has made history by transferring 1,788 pounds of refuelling propellant to the International Space Station.

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Blobrana · L

Eleven weeks into its integrated service to the International Space Station, Jules Verne ATV has followed up its successful automatic docking on 3 April 2008 by achieving all its scheduled objectives - and much more. ATV is providing capabilities never planned for before its mission.
In the coming days, Jules Verne is set to transfer its entire 856 kg of refuelling propellant to the Space Station and reboost the 300-tonne Station to a higher orbit for the second time since its arrival. Crewmembers meanwhile are using the European space supply vessel as a new area to sleep and wash. One of its empty tanks has successfully stored 110 litres of condensation water from the ISS. And, last but not least, the ATVs mission in orbit has been extended from August to September, in order to take advantage of its powerful ISS reboost capabilities.

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Blobrana · L

A model of a proposed European manned spaceship has gone on show at the Berlin Air Show.
The design, which has been produced by EADS Astrium, is based on the unmanned "Jules Verne" freighter recently sent to the International Space Station.
Astrium says a crewed version of the truck is a logical evolution, and could fly in the next decade if it received support from European governments.

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Blobrana · L

'Jules Verne' pictured over UK

IMAGE
The scene was captured by John Locker, a satellite consultant and one of a committed band of enthusiasts who take pictures of overflying spacecraft.

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Blobrana · L

Europe's robot space freighter was successfully docked with the International Space Station at 14:45 GMT.
The unmanned Jules Verne cargo ship was remotely operated by flight controllers at a European Space Agency centre in Toulouse, France.
The spacecraft will remain docked and the hatches unopened until tomorrow.

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Blobrana · L

The docking of the ATV to the International Space Station, is scheduled at 14:41 UT, Thursday, April 3rd 2008.

Blobrana · L

Today, mission controllers at ESA's ATV Control Centre in Toulouse, France, will pace Jules Verne through a second day of crucial manoeuvres designed to demonstrate the vessel's navigation capabilities.
Source

ESA Docking Video System on ISS

Credits: ESA

Still from computer-generated simulation of ATV docking using ESA 'Docking Video System'

Blobrana · L

Europe's "Jules Verne" freighter has demonstrated the ability to navigate itself to a point just 3,500m from the International Space Station.
The cargo ship, which carries some five tonnes of supplies for the platform, was then instructed by ground control to "escape" to a safe distance.
It was the first of two demo days the vehicle must complete before being allowed to dock with the ISS.

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