European Space Agency launched its first robot freighter Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) into space from the Launch Zone (ZL-3) of Ariane Launch Complex no. 3 (ELA-3) at the Guiana Space Centre on Sunday, March 9.
The ATV, dubbed "Jules Verne" in honor of the visionary French science fiction writer, is the first ATV that Europe has committed to its participation in the ISS program.
The freighter, 10.3-m long and 4.5-m wide, weighs 11 tonnes and is laden with hi-tech optical navigation, docking sensors and communications equipment.
It will remain in a "parking orbit" and then is scheduled to dock with the International Space Station (ISS) on April 3 to deliver around eight tons of food, water, fuel and personal items to the ISS crew.
The craft will detach from the ISS after six months or so, with rubbish accumulated during the station's mission. The rubbish will be safely disintegrated together with the freighter over the Pacific.
Source: Xinhua