Europe launches first ATV to ISS
Posted: Sun, Mar 9, 2008, 9:24 AM ET (1324 GMT)
The European Space Agency successfully launched its first automated cargo spacecraft, carrying supplies for the International Space Station, on Saturday night. An Ariane 5 ES lifted off from Kourou, French Guiana at 11:03 pm EST Saturday (0403 GMT Sunday) and placed the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), also known as "Jules Verne", into a 260-kilometer orbit. The ATV is the largest and most sophisticated spacecraft built by Europe, capable of carrying several tons of cargo, including food, water, propellant, and other items, to the station. The actual docking of the ATV to the ISS is not planned until early April to avoid conflicting with the STS-123 shuttle mission scheduled for launch on Tuesday as well as to allow for several tests of the spacecraft as it approaches the station prior to making a docking attempt.
The European Space Agency successfully launched its first automated cargo spacecraft, carrying supplies for the International Space Station, on Saturday night. An Ariane 5 ES lifted off from Kourou, French Guiana at 11:03 pm EST Saturday (0403 GMT Sunday) and placed the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), also known as "Jules Verne", into a 260-kilometer orbit. The ATV is the largest and most sophisticated spacecraft built by Europe, capable of carrying several tons of cargo, including food, water, propellant, and other items, to the station. The actual docking of the ATV to the ISS is not planned until early April to avoid conflicting with the STS-123 shuttle mission scheduled for launch on Tuesday as well as to allow for several tests of the spacecraft as it approaches the station prior to making a docking attempt.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Tuesday, February 9
Calling ET: Your chance to send a message to alien life
The Daily Telegraph — 7:42 am ET (1242 GMT) CU-equipped craft to launch on Wednesday
Denver Post — 7:41 am ET (1241 GMT) Crew inspects shuttle after launch, heads for space station
CNN — 7:40 am ET (1240 GMT) Endeavour Inspection Shows No Launch Damage
Central Florida News 13 — 7:40 am ET (1240 GMT) What's next? No rush. 'We've got plenty of time'
Huntsville Times — 7:40 am ET (1240 GMT) |