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

Just a quick reminder that Space Shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to lift off at 19:45GMT today. Best internet viewing is probably via the NASA TV main page now as the better Yahoo! stream seems to have gone away.

Direct link for NASA TV Update: I found the better quality video link for Yahoo! again.

Update: Atlantis launched successfully

NASA has scheduled the next launch attempt for STS-122 for Thursday 7th February at 19:47ZULU

Atlantis was first due to launch back at the beginning of December but a recurring fault with the ECO (Engine Cut Off) sensors in the main liquid hydrogen tank prevented this. If the ECO sensors became unavailable in flight, it could lead to a situation where the liquid oxygen could be depleted beyond safe limits potentially leading to a catastrophic failure of the SSME turbopumps. NASA traced the problem to the connector points on the side of the external tank. They then fabricated and fitted new connectors which means that the vehicle now stands read to fly this week.

Atlantis will be carrying the European Space Agency’s Columbus scientific module to the International Space Station.

I will be looking this week to find the best internet video feed source for NASA TV’s coverage of the launch and I will note it here when I do.

Just a quick update on the delayed launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis on STS-122.

NASA now believe they’ve isolated the ECO sensor fault to the connectors between the External Tank and the Orbiter. Their intention is to swap the connectors out at the pad and to try for a launch on the 24th of January. They hope to have the new connectors installed by next Thursday but the launch date is still a movable feast depending on how the work goes.