European Automated Transfer Vehicle

The International Space Station (ISS) depends on deliveries of food, water, clean clothes, and equipment for its crew. Europe's Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) is one of the indispensable ISS supply spaceships. The first launch was on 9 March 2008.

Every 12 months or so, an European Ariane 5 launcher will send the ATV with 7.5 tons of cargo from its Kourou launch site in French Guiana to the ISS. Like the Russian Progress cargo modules, it will automatically dock with the Station's Russian service module. The ATV will remain docked for up to six months. It will then be filled with trash and be destroyed in the Earth's atmosphere.

The ATV is pressurized, allowing crew members to enter wearing normal clothing.

Credit: ESA-D.Ducros	Left - This is a concept drawing of the ATV approaching the Space Station. (Click to enlarge)
Right - This is a cut-away concept drawing of the ATV docked to the ISS. (Click to enlarge)	Credit: ESA-D.Ducros
Credit: ESA-D.Ducros	Left - This is a concept drawing of the ATV as it nears the ISS. (Click to enlarge)

 

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Page last modified: 15 August 2015 19:56:13.