Jules Verne goes to space in February 2008

William Atkins
Tuesday, 15 January 2008 22:08

Science - Space

The European Space Agency’s first automated transfer vehicle (ATV), called the Jules Verne (ATV-1), is being prepared for its first launch in February 2008--a mission to the International Space Station.      

In January 2008, the Jules Verne, now located at the Kourou spaceport in French Guiana, began to be filled with propellant provided by Russia. The propellant will be delivered to the International Space Station.

Inside the S5 integration building at the spaceport, the spacecraft contains two fuel tanks that are being filled with unsymmetric dimethyl hydrazine (UDMH).

After the filling of the fuel is completed, nitrogen tetroxide (N₂O₄), the oxidizer for the UDMH fuel, will be loaded onboard the Jules Verne.

The N₂O₄ oxidizer and UDMH fuel, once the Jules Verne is docked to the space station, will be transferred via pipes inside the space station.

Besides fuel, the 22 ton (20-metric ton) ATV will also carry supply goods, water, scientific equipment, food, clothing, personnel articles for the crew, pressurized gaseous oxygen, and other materials. In all about 7.7 tons (seven metric tons) of materials will consist of the cargo.

Earlier in the year, technicians also filled the spacecraft with monomethylhydrazine (MMH) and mixed oxides of nitrogen (MON₃), which will be used by the ship’s own propulsion system. The ATV uses the fuel to run its four main engines and 28 smaller thrusters.

Specifically, the fuels will be used to power the ATV towards the space station and, once docked to the station, to control the attitude and orbit of the space station. They will also be used to re-boost the station into a higher orbit.

Early in February, the Jules Verne will be mated to its launch vehicle, a specially modified Ariane 5 rocket.

Then, the Jules Verne is scheduled for liftoff into space....