The European Space Agency successfully completed a major test of the Jules Verne Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) on Monday, moving within 11 meters of the International Space Station. Tomorrow, in a final test, it will reach the ISS dock. The Jules Verne ATV, seen here from the ISS, is an amazing multi-purpose vehicle that will take over the cargo-ferrying duties of the Soviet Progress vessels and the American Space Shuttle, schlepping critical supplies to astronauts on-board the ISS. It's essentially a beta version of the kinds of vehicles that will bring beer and donuts to moon bases for hungry lunar tourists.

The ESA's ATV is fully automated. When it gets close to the ISS, the entire docking procedure is handled by computers using GPS, optical sensors and an off-board laser range-finder. Once it is docked, astronauts can enter the cargo bay directly from the main ISS modules and retrieve supplies without ever putting on a space suit. It will remain docked for several months, during which time it will be emptied of supplies and then gradually filled with waste and garbage (liquid and solid).

When it's time for another cargo vehicle to dock with the ISS, the Jules Verne will undock and head into a steep re-entry over the Pacific Ocean, burning up when it hits the atmosphere. The ESA has plans for another six expendable cargo vehicles - it would be cool if they named them all after classic sci-fi authors. The Jules Verne carried two rare manuscripts by the groundbreaking writer, which will be kept on the ISS. Photo by: ESA.

Impressive dress-rehearsal for Jules Verne ATV. [ESA]

7:40 AM on Wed Apr 2 2008
By Ed Grabianowski
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9 comments

Comments

Mathmos at 07:56 AM on 04/02/08
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So they've solved the problem of the beer fizzing up when they shoot it from a giant cannon.
Git Em SteveDave at 07:57 AM on 04/02/08
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Connectedness Index: 177

How does beer react in zero-g? I know there's a problem with astromen burping in space.
deckard97 at 08:43 AM on 04/02/08
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Well, there goes the Shuttle extension contract...
Metropolis at 09:13 AM on 04/02/08
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Is it really cheaper to just let this thing burn up than to reuse it?
Brock at 09:36 AM on 04/02/08
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@Metropolis: The EU ATV replaces the Russian "Progress" rocket. The Progress is also expendable, but the ATV carries 3x as much cargo per launch, so at least it's an improvement in that respect.

The ATV is only planned to be launched 7 times because it is expected that the SpaceX Falcon 1 and Falcon 9 boosters (which return to Earth) will be able to supply the ISS within 3-5 years.
Gyrus at 10:03 AM on 04/02/08
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@Metropolis: Yes. There's the cost of human retrieval, repair and upkeep which is more than simply building a new one, ready to launch. Ideally, a robot ferry would be nice but the technology for an automated liftoff, docking, departure and landing system just isn't there.
Gambeson at 12:56 PM on 04/02/08
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I'm so excited about the projects NASA has going on right now. We've had a permanent human presence in space for 8 years now. We're learning more about living and working in space every day we're up there. I'll miss the shuttle, but we've been running them since I was a child. The Constellation program, Ares and Orion, will allow us wonderful new opportunities.
Ghede at 04:46 PM on 04/02/08
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Software bug starts a very serious food fight.
Adam_C at 02:36 PM on 04/04/08
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I agree with you on the naming of future ATVs, it would be cool
then again, what is not cool about space exploration these days ? :)
great times we live in !

Anecdotally,
in a recent science live talk show here, comics artist Moebius suggested to Jean-Yves Legall (CEO of ArianeEspace) "Méliès" as a possible name for a future mission.
Legall responded it would be a great idea.