spacetoday.net: Progress leaves ISS, ATV set to depart

Posted: Thu, Sep 4, 2008, 7:55 AM ET (1155 GMT)
ATV illustration (ESA)

A Progress cargo spacecraft undocked from the ISS earlier this week as the first European cargo vessel to dock with the station also prepares to depart. The Progress M-64 spacecraft undocked from the nadir port of the Zarya module at 3:46 pm EDT (1946 GMT) on Monday. The spacecraft did not immediately reenter the atmosphere but instead will remain in orbit for one to two weeks for engine tests. Meanwhile, the European Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) Jules Verne is scheduled to depart the station late Friday. The ATV, the first launched by ESA, had been docked to the station since early April. The spacecraft will remain in orbit after undocking until a deorbit burn on September 29. The two departures clear the way for the September 10 launch of a new Progress cargo spacecraft to the station.