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| ESA - ATV - Jules Verne: the first and most elaborate space rendezvous for Europe |
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Jules Verne: the first and most elaborate space rendezvous for Europe
2 June 2003
Artist's impression of the Automated Transfer Vehicle approaching the International Space Station. In combination with ESA's new Ariane 5, the 20.5 t, 8.5 m-long Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) will enable Europe to transport cargo to the International Space Station. This new vehicle, scheduled for its initial test flight in September 2004, can carry 9 tonnes of scientific equipment, general supplies, water, oxygen and propellant. Up to 4 t can be propellant for ATV's own engines to reboost the Station at regular intervals as atmospheric drag reduces the orbit. Developed under Aerospatialess prime contractorship, an ATV will be launched on average every 15 months as a means of ESA contributing to the Station's operating costs. It can remain docked for up to 6 months, during which time it will be loaded with Station waste before being undocked and flown into Earth's atmosphere to burn up.
2 June 2003
The 20,7 tonnes ATV is well protected at the top of Ariane 5 during the three minutes of high pressure aerodynamic ascent. In combination with ESA's new Ariane 5, 8.5 m-long Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) will enable Europe to transport cargo to the International Space Station. This new vehicle, scheduled for its initial test flight in October 2002, can carry 9 tonnes of scientific equipment, general supplies, water, oxygen and propellant. Up to 4 t can be propellant for ATV's own engines to reboost the Station at regular intervals as atmospheric drag reduces the orbit. Developed under Aerospatialess prime contractorship, an ATV will be launched on average every 15 months as a means of ESA contributing to the Station's operating costs. It can remain docked for up to 6 months, during which time it will be loaded with Station waste before being undocked and flown into Earth's atmosphere to burn up.
The ATV becomes an extension of the station. The 45 m3 pressurized module of the ATV delivers up to 7,2 tonnes of equipment, fuel, food, water and air for the crew.
2 June 2003
In combination with ESA's new Ariane 5, 8.5 m-long Automated Transfer Vehicle (Verne) will enable Europe to transport cargo to the International Space Station. The 45 m3 pressurized module of the ATV delivers up to 7,2 tonnes of equipment, fuel, food, water and air for the crew.
State-of-the-art of space rendezvous
2 June 2003
ESA Astronaut Jean-Fran?ois Clervoy with the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) test model at ESA's test facilities in The Netherlands. Jean-Fran?ois Clervoy is currently supporting development of the ATV in Les Mureaux, near Paris, where Prime Contractor EADS-LV is based.
2 June 2003
Latest view of ISS taken from Shuttle flight STS-112 in October 2002
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