ESA ATV-1 "Jules Verne" pre-launch and launch updates

[DaveS]

Now with only 10 days to the planned launch of the ESA Automated Transfer Vehicle-1(ATV) "Jules Verne", I thought I would start a pre-launch and launch updates thread.

Here's the latest update from Arianespace:

February 26, 2008
Ariane 5’s final assembly is completed for next month’s mission with the Automated Transfer Vehicle

​

The Ariane 5 for Arianespace’s upcoming historic mission to service the International Space Station is now complete following installation of the large fairing that will protect its Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) payload during the launcher’s initial ascent.

Integration of the payload fairing was performed yesterday at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana (photo at left), marking one of the last major milestones in Ariane 5’s final assembly process.

With a liftoff scheduled for the early morning hours of March 8, this mission will be the first Ariane flight in support of the International Space Station, and the 19-metric-ton ATV is to be the largest single spacecraft ever lofted by Ariane 5.

The European-built ATV resupply spacecraft will deliver propellant, oxygen, equipment, systems, food and water for the International Space Station and its crew. It is the first of nine ATVs currently on Arianespace’s order book for launch to the manned orbital station over the next several years.

The March 8 flight also will be Arianespace’s initial mission of 2008, during which a total of seven Ariane 5 launches are planned.

 

[DaveS]

Press Release N° 14-2008
Paris, 3 March 2008



Jules Verne ATV launch rescheduled to 9 March


Arianespace and the European Space Agency confirm today that the launch of Jules Verne, the first Automated Transfer Vehicle, is delayed 24 hours due to a technical concern about the ATV/Ariane 5 launcher separation system.

During the last validation step for the device which separates the 20-tonne European spacecraft from its launcher, a potential problem was identified with the fitting of the grounding straps located in the separation system. Today, after removal of the Ariane 5 fairing, this item will be checked again, consistent as always with the conservative and precautionary approach taken by ESA to its missions.

In order to maintain safe margins for the countdown, ESA and Arianespace decided to postpone the launch by one day. The Jules Verne launch is rescheduled for 00:59 Kourou time/03:59 UTC/04:59 CET on Sunday 9 March 2008.

ESA’s Jules Verne ATV will re-supply the International Space Station, delivering experiments, equipment and spare parts, as well as food, air and water for the permanent onboard crew.

For further information:
Franco Bonacina
ESA, Media Relations Office
Communication and Knowledge Department

 

[Notebook]

Link to the upcoming launch webcast:-

http://www.videocorner.tv/index.php?langue=en


Edit:- ESA have an article about the ariane 5 for the ARV launch.

http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/ATV/SEMMYCK26DF_0.html

N.

 

[Chipstone306]

Jules Verne ATV prepares for le voyage extraordinaire

Check out the picture comparision of how much room is inside the atv!

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/atv_extraordinaire.html

 

[DaveS]

Yesterday the Ariane 5 ES with ATV-1 "Jules Verne" was rolled out from the Final Assembly Building to the launch pad.

It is now undergoing final pre-launch checks ahead of the start of the countdown at 1633:04 UTC(11:33:03 am EST).

Both Arianespace and NASA TV plans to air live launch coverage.

The Arianespace live launch coverage can be found here: http://www.videocorner.tv/index.php?langue=en and will start at 0343 UTC Sunday(10:03 pm EST Saturday).

The NASA TV live launch coverage will begin at 0315 UTC Sunday(10:15 pm Saturday).

 

[Zatnikitelman]

I can't wait for this thing to go. Let's hope for a good launch

 

[Zatnikitelman]

T-1 Minute 30 seconds!

 

[Chipstone306]

ATV Jules Verne Launches to Station

Image above: An Ariane 5 rocket lifts off carrying the first Automated Transfer Vehicle, named Jules Verne. Credit: NASA TV

The first European Automated Transfer Vehicle launched to the International Space Station from Kourou, French Guiana, on an Ariane 5 rocket at 11:03 p.m. EST Saturday.

Solar arrays deployed as planned after two engine firings more than an hour and a half after launch. That placed the ATV in a parking orbit about 1,200 miles from the station.

The high-capacity unpiloted cargo carrier is, at almost 22 tons, the largest cargo ever launched by the Ariane 5.

This vehicle is named Jules Verne after the acclaimed French science-fiction author. It is the first of at least seven such spacecraft to be built.

The ATV can carry more than 7.5 tons of cargo. That is about three times the cargo weight carried by the Progress, the reliable Russian unpiloted cargo carrier.

The spacecraft can carry dry cargo – food and other supplies and equipment—as well as water, propellant for the station, and gases, including air and oxygen.

The Jules Verne initially was placed in an orbit a safe distance from the station, where a series of tests will be performed. Subsequent tests scheduled include two approaches to the station.

Those approaches will end in "escape" maneuvers, in part to verify the collision avoidance system. It would be used if the ATV automated docking system should fail.

The spacecraft is scheduled to dock with the station in early April. It will remain there, for unloading and subsequent filling with station garbage and discards, until August. Then it will be deorbited for destruction on re-entry over the Pacific.