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Final preparations for first human-rated spacecraft to be launched from Europe's Spaceport

18 December 2007

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Two halves of the ATV are mated ready for launch

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The two halves of the 20-tonne Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) – the avionics/propulsion module and the pressurized cargo carrier – were mated ready for launch.

Credits: ESA

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Over five days, the interior of the cabin has been first disinfected, filled with approximately 1300 kg of ‘dry cargo’ such as food (500 kg), clothing (80 kg) and spare parts, and then disinfected a second time. Afterwards, experts from ESA, NASA and the world famous Institut Pasteur’s laboratory, through its branch in French Guiana, have taken surface samples inside the ATV cabin for bacteriological analysis.

Credits: ESA

Tanking of ‘Russian’ water

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Water samples are taken from Jules Verne

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Antoine Stevens (left), from Institut Pasteur of Guiana, and Pierre Rebeyre (right), ESA expert for water quality control and Life Support System Development, have both taken different samples of drinking water for the astronauts. The 268 litres are tanked in the green spheric tank (upper right side) of the ATV.

Credits: ESA

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The two halves of the 20-tonne Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) – the avionics/propulsion module and the pressurised cargo carrier – were mated ready for launch.

Credits: ESA

Synthetic air inside the cabin

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Final closure of Jules Verne ATV's pressurised module, or Integrated Cargo Carrier (ICC). Once the ATV's pressurised module is closed and sealed, its air can be purged and replaced by pure synthesised air.

Credits: 2007 - ESA /CNES/Arianespace/Photo optique video du CSG

Jules Verne ATV given its 'wings'Jules Verne dry cargo prepared in Turin Successful test of Jules Verne ATV software