Endeavour launches on STS-123, Jules Verne ATV on orbit
Posted by: delusional in News, Space
Space Shuttle Endeavour has launched successfully on a mission to the International Space Station. Endeavour carries the Japanese Experiment Module and the Canadian built SPDM which is something of a ‘Swiss Army Knife’ manipulator for handling modules and parts on the outside of the station.
Also in orbit just now is the European Space Agency’s Jules Verne ATV which launched from Kourou in French Guiana on the 9th. The ATV launch and deployment went well but the number two Propulsion Drive Electronics unit detected a difference in pressure between the fuel and oxidiser on one of the four main propulsion units. Flight controllers are evaluating the fault but remain confident that ISS rendezvous can easily be completed on the other three units.
The ATV is due at the station on the 29th, approximately 3 days after Endeavour leaves (depending on final duration of STS-123). Final docking of the ATV should occur on the 3rd of April.
Tags: atv, canada, endeavour, esa, japan, jem, jules verne, nasa, space shuttle, spdm
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