ESA - mISSione possibile - Il Veicolo di Trasferimento Automatizzato (ATV): il camion dello spazio!

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Il Veicolo di Trasferimento Automatizzato (ATV): il camion dello spazio!

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Cooperation between Europe and Russia on the integration of the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) with the International Space Station lasted more than a decade and culminated with a flawless docking of the first European cargo craft to the station’s Zvezda Service Module on 3 April 2008.
All Russian systems aboard the ATV (the Refueling System, Docking System, Equipment Control System, and KURS) demonstrated a stunning level of performance at all respective phases of the mission.
All major joint tasks, such as delivery of dry cargo to the ISS, water transfer, re-pressurization with oxygen, ISS re-boost with ATV thrusters, attitude control, and a debris avoidance manoeuvre, were fulfilled without a hitch.
The giant freighter destroyed itself in a controlled burn-up over the southern Pacific on 29 September 2009.
It is currently planned to launch an ATV every 17 months as part of ESA's ISS membership agreement to haul cargo, propellant, water and oxygen to the space station, and also to provide propulsion capacity at the station.
The ATV is 9.794m long, weighs 19.357 tonnes and has a total cargo capacity of 7.667 tonnes.

Credits: NASA

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The International Space Station (ISS) depends on regular deliveries of experimental equipment and spare parts as well as food, air and water for its permanent crew. From Autumn 2004 onward, Europe's Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) will be one of the indispensable ISS supply spaceships.

Credits: ESA/Ducros

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Artist's impression of the Automated Transfer Vehicle approaching the International Space Station.

In combination with ESA's new Ariane 5, the 20.5 tonne, 8.5 meter long Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) will enable Europe to transport cargo to the International Space Station. This new vehicle, scheduled for its initial test flight in 2008, can carry 9 tonnes of scientific equipment, general supplies, water, oxygen and propellant. Up to 4 tonnes can be propellant for ATV's own engines to reboost the Station at regular intervals as atmospheric drag reduces the orbit. Developed under Aerospatialess prime contractorship, an ATV will be launched on average every 15 months as a means of ESA contributing to the Station's operating costs. It can remain docked for up to 6 months, during which time it will be loaded with Station waste before being undocked and flown into Earth's atmosphere to burn up.

Credits: ESA -D.Ducros

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Credits: ESA