ATV makes first close approach to ISS
Posted: Sun, Mar 30, 2008, 10:34 AM ET (1434 GMT)
The European Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) spacecraft Jules Verne successfully completed its first close approach test to the International Space Station on Saturday, the next step towards docking with the station. Jules Verne moved from an initial position 39 kilometers from the ISS to within 3.5 km of the station before making an "escape" maneuver as planned to move back to a safe distance from the station. The approach was the first in a series of tests that will being the ATV increasing closer to the station, testing the spacecraft's ability to make an automated rendezvous and docking with the station. A second test, planned for Monday, will bring the ATV to just 11 meters from the aft docking port on the Zvezda module. Barring problems, the ATV will then attempt to dock with the station on Thursday. The spacecraft was launched in early March, but had to wait in orbit for the recent STS-123 shuttle mission to end before beginning the rendezvous and docking tests.
The European Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) spacecraft Jules Verne successfully completed its first close approach test to the International Space Station on Saturday, the next step towards docking with the station. Jules Verne moved from an initial position 39 kilometers from the ISS to within 3.5 km of the station before making an "escape" maneuver as planned to move back to a safe distance from the station. The approach was the first in a series of tests that will being the ATV increasing closer to the station, testing the spacecraft's ability to make an automated rendezvous and docking with the station. A second test, planned for Monday, will bring the ATV to just 11 meters from the aft docking port on the Zvezda module. Barring problems, the ATV will then attempt to dock with the station on Thursday. The spacecraft was launched in early March, but had to wait in orbit for the recent STS-123 shuttle mission to end before beginning the rendezvous and docking tests.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
NASA to launch Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope in September
Posted: Sat, Apr 25 10:54 AM ET (1454 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Friday, May 1
FCC Adopts New Satellite Spectrum Sharing Rules
Broadband Breakfast — 6:04 am ET (1004 GMT) New FCC Rules Could Mean 'Sevenfold' Capacity Increase for Starlink
PC Magazine — 6:03 am ET (1003 GMT) Space Command moves into first Redstone building
Axios — 6:01 am ET (1001 GMT) Sierra Space Elects Retired Lieutenant General John E. Shaw to Board of Directors
PR Newswire — 6:01 am ET (1001 GMT) Spacecom Takes Operational Control of Facility in Alabama
US Dept. of Defense — 6:01 am ET (1001 GMT) |
