The European Space Agency’s Jules Verne ATV has successfully docked with the International Space Station.

The automated docking procedure seemed to run without a hitch and the ATV hard docked to the station.

Work is now underway to connect up electrical, data and ancilliary systems prior to opening the hatch on the 20 tonne ATV which is carrying 9 tonnes food, water, fuel and general stores for the ISS.

ESA’s Jules Verne ATV is scheduled to make it’s first full docking attempt with the ISS tomorrow. The ATV which arrived in the vicinity of the International Space Station on the 29th of March after a successful launch has already carried out several approach and collision avoidance demonstrations.

The 20 tonne ATV is carrying 9 tonnes of cargo and supplies for the cosmonauts and astronauts aboard the ISS. I believe the docking is scheduled for 16:41 CEST / 15:41 BST / 1441 ZULU April 3

NASA TV will have coverage (available online) and ESA will presumably be providing a webcast (hopefully in the same high-quality as the launch coverage).

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.

You will be able to watch the Launch of the Jules Verne Automated Transfer Vehicle online tonight from a number of sources.

First, there’s the ESA site. [Windows Media or RealPlayer - French or English commentary] I’ve no idea what the quality of their stream is like yet as the transmission only goes live an hour before launch.

Then there’s Ariane Space who also provide their own stream.

Finally, NASA TV should be carrying the stream although they haven’t updated their schedules to reflect the 24hr delay. You should be able to find my preferred high-quality Yahoo! / Akamai relay here.

I also found this Progress docking approach video via the ESA ATV blog which is nothing short of stunning. It’s speeded-up so you get to see the ISS rotate in your first-person field of view as the Progress resupply vehicle maneuvers around it.

The Jules Verne ATV is scheduled to launch atop it’s Ariane 5 launch vehicle at 04:03 ZULU Sunday (05:03 CET)

Update:  ESA have a really good quality stream via Akamai so I recommend using that one.

Photo Credit: ESA / D.Ducros

The launch of the new European Space Agency Automated Transfer Vehicle Jules Verne has been scheduled for the 9th of March.

Originally the crewless ISS resupply ship was due to launch on the 8th but a technical concern with regard to grounding straps on the Ariane vehicle release system caused a 24 hour delay.

When Jules Verne launches from Guiana Space Centre in Kourou atop an Ariane 5 ES booster, it will carry 9 tons of cargo to the International Space Station. Once at the station it will also be able to use it’s motors to boost the station’s orbit. At the completion of it’s mission, the ATV will be packed with station refuse, deorbited and allowed to burn up in the atmosphere.

Liftoff is scheduled for 03:59 ZULU / 04:59 CET

If I find a good live internet stream, I will post an update.

Photo: ESA

Space Shuttle Atlantis returned safely to Kennedy Space Center yesterday after completing STS-122 to the International Space Station which saw the delivery and installation of the ESA European Columbus science labaratory.

As Atlantis landed, Endeavor was already at the launch pad in preparation for STS-123, also to the ISS, which is penciled in to launch in just over three weeks time on the 11th of March. Endeavor will be carrying the pressurised section of the Japanese JAXA science module.