Initial Jules Verne ATV Countdown and Launch

01101001 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-February-2008, 04:30 PM

Quote:

After the successful launch of ESA’s Columbus laboratory aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis on Thursday (7 February), it is now time to focus on the next imminent milestone for ESA: the launch of Jules Verne, the first Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) to be sent to the International Space Station.

The 20-tonne European resupply and space-tug module will be carried into orbit by a special version of the Ariane 5 launch vehicle. The launcher, operated by Arianespace, is now scheduled to lift off from Europe’s spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, on 8 March at 01:23 local time, 05:23 CET.

From 2008 onward, ESA’s Automated Transfer Vehicle will be one of the space station’s supply spacecraft, delivering experiments, equipment and spare parts, as well as food, air and water for its permanent crew.

Constructed by EADS-Astrium, the ATV, which is the most powerful automatic spaceship ever built, will carry up to 9 tonnes of cargo to the station as it orbits 400 km above the Earth.

(See topic: Jules Verne in space.)

Links:
ESA: ATV - Jules Verne
ESA: About ATV
Wikipedia: Automated Transfer Vehicle

Launch target:
March 7, 2023 PST, Friday
March 7, 2323 EST, Friday
March 8, 0423 UTC, Saturday
March 8, 0523 CET, Saturday

Roughly 3-1/2 weeks to launch.

Halcyon Dayz · #2 (**permalink**) 21-February-2008, 03:39 PM

Mission Update
February 18, 2008

Quote:

Ariane 5 is fitted with its 19-metric-ton ATV payload

The Ariane 5’s largest payload ever has now been integrated on the launch vehicle, taking Arianespace’s upcoming historic mission with the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) one step closer to its March 8 liftoff. Our photo selection highlights the ATV’s integration at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, which began late last week and concluded with the spacecraft’s power-up this weekend atop the launcher.

Launch window · #3 (**permalink**) 22-February-2008, 09:31 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMfYrrWl0gI

01101001 · #4 (**permalink**) 23-February-2008, 04:23 AM

ESA: Joint ESA/Russian team in Moscow ready to support Jules Verne

Quote:

When the Jules Verne Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) is launched in early March it will use several key spacecraft hardware items such as the docking and refuelling systems, and the Kurs radar, procured in Russia. European and Russian engineers have worked together to adapt them from their previous use on the Russian spacecraft Progress and Soyuz to the much larger 20-tonne ATV vessel.
[...]
During the Jules Verne mission, the ATV will perform automated manoeuvres which are closely monitored by almost 60 controllers in Toulouse, Houston and Moscow. For the first time in history, three space centres will interact from different sides of the world.

Jules Verne in attack mode, artist's impression:

(No. Those are the laser range finders. Probably.)

Launch target:
March 7, 2023 PST, Friday
March 7, 2323 EST, Friday
March 8, 0423 UTC, Saturday
March 8, 0523 CET, Saturday

2 weeks to launch

mugaliens · #5 (**permalink**) 25-February-2008, 01:18 PM

Cool!

Launch window · #6 (**permalink**) 28-February-2008, 12:36 AM

Any news on those Japanese supply vessels, it was almost the same concept as ATV ?

01101001 · #7 (**permalink**) 28-February-2008, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Launch window

Any news on those Japanese supply vessels, it was almost the same concept as ATV ?

Wikipedia: H-II Transfer Vehicle
JAXA: HTV
NASA: Statement of Michael D. Griffin Administrator, to congressional subcommittee, November 15, 2007 (PDF):

Quote:

Japan’s HTV is an expendable, automated cargo transfer vehicle designed to launch on the H-IIB expendable rocket and rendezvous with the ISS. It will include both pressurized and non-pressurized carriers, thus allowing delivery of rack-mounted equipment, water and gases, and non-pressurized system spares. The HTV has completed its critical design review and is scheduled for demonstration in the mid-2009 period. The cargo capacity will be approximately 5.5 Mt and the lead-time to production is estimated to be three to four years. Japanese plans currently call for a production capacity of one HTV per year. This rate corresponds to Japan’s commitment to fly one HTV per year over the period 2009 – 2015.
A portion of the HTV cargo capacity is owed to the ISS program based on Japan’s share of common system operations costs and prior barter arrangements. This cargo capacity is important since it has already been factored into the ISS baseline program for cargo supply. Approaches to acquiring further HTV cargo delivery services, particularly in the area of non-pressurized system spares, are under evaluation in the event that COTS cargo services are delayed. If system sparing becomes critical to maintain the station and U.S. commercial cargo services are delayed, it would be prudent to have the flexibility to execute a sound contingency plan.

01101001 · #8 (**permalink**) 01-March-2008, 04:28 AM

Mission Logo

ESA: Jules Verne ATV atop launcher

Quote:

Jules Verne, the first Automated Transfer Vehicle, has been encapsulated in its huge fairing on top of the Ariane 5 launcher.

ESA: Follow the launch of ATV 'Jules Verne' live from ESA sites across Europe

Quote:

With ESA’s Columbus laboratory successfully attached and operating on the International Space Station, the time has now come for another European milestone mission to leave for the ISS - that of the first Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), named 'Jules Verne'.

Europe’s massive 19 357 kg supply spacecraft will be carried into orbit by a special version of the Ariane 5 launcher. This Ariane is now scheduled to lift off from Europe’s spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, on 8 March at 01:28 local time, 05:28 CET.
[...]
The mission can also be followed on the web at: www.esa.int/atv.

Launch target:
March 7, 2028 PST, Friday
March 7, 2328 EST, Friday
March 8, 0428 UTC, Saturday
March 8, 0528 CET, Saturday

1 week to launch

01101001 · #9 (**permalink**) 03-March-2008, 07:21 PM

Launch delayed one day

ESA: Jules Verne ATV launch rescheduled to 9 March

Quote:

Arianespace and the European Space Agency confirm today that the launch of Jules Verne, the first Automated Transfer Vehicle, is delayed 24 hours due to a technical concern about the ATV/Ariane 5 launcher separation system.
[...]
In order to maintain safe margins for the countdown, ESA and Arianespace decided to postpone the launch by one day. The Jules Verne launch is rescheduled for 00:59 Kourou time, 03:59 UTC, 04:59 CET on Sunday 9 March 2008.

Launch target:
March 8, 1959 PST, Saturday
March 8, 2259 EST, Saturday
March 9, 0359 UTC, Sunday
March 9, 0459 CET, Sunday

About 5 days to launch

01101001 · #10 (**permalink**) 06-March-2008, 04:03 AM

ESA: Jules Verne ATV declared ready for launch

Quote:

[W]ith the participation of around 60 people from ESA, Arianespace, CNES, Astrium, RSC-Energia and NASA, the European space supply vessel for the International Space Station, was declared ready for launch on 9 March at 05:03 CET (04:03 UTC).

ESA: A dedicated Ariane 5 to launch Jules Verne

Quote:

Since it is the first time the European heavy launcher will aim at such a low Earth orbit (LEO) trajectory and since it will launch its heaviest payload ever, the Ariane 5 ES-ATV has needed some hardware adaptation and some specific tests and studies.

The more than 20-tonne ATV mass represents more than twice the heaviest single payload Ariane 5 has ever lifted in the past [...]

Launch target:
March 8, 2003 PST, Saturday
March 8, 2303 EST, Saturday
March 9, 0403 UTC, Sunday
March 9, 0503 CET, Sunday

3 days to launch

01101001 · #11 (**permalink**) 08-March-2008, 04:03 AM

Some recent news items:

ESA: Traffic jam in space: ATV docking under tight schedule

ATV / Apollo / Progress

(hi res version, about 400kB)

Quote:

With Endeavour docked to the ISS from 13 March until 24 March for the docked phase of its planned 16-day mission, the ATV cannot dock and must patiently wait in a holding orbit, travelling below the ISS. During this 'phasing' period, the ATV will undergo a series of transfer and phasing manoeuvres to bring it to the right point to begin its docking approach.

Around 18 March, ATV will enter a 'loitering' phase, located 2000 km in front of the ISS[...]

ESA: Successful review for Jules Verne ATV launcher

Quote:

Roll-out of the 760-tonne launcher and Jules Verne ATV from the Final Assembly Building at Europe’s Spaceport to the launch complex 3 (ELA 3) is scheduled for today (Friday 7 March) at 10:35 local time in Kourou (14:35 CET, 13:45 UT).

NASA: Jules Verne ATV prepares for le voyage extraordinaire

Quote:

When author Jules Verne imagined in 1865 the story that would become De la Terre à la Lune (From the Earth to the Moon), he envisioned a rocket that would launch people into space using a giant cannon to escape the Earth’s gravity.

Now, more than 140 years after Verne’s visionary tale caused people to imagine what lay beyond the atmosphere, the European Space Agency (ESA) is preparing to launch an important addition to the International Space Station bearing Verne’s name.

Illustration of actual initial-voyage cargo. OK, who ordered the bus?

(Just kidding. It's to illustrate size. From ATV Preflight Briefing Materials.)

ESA: Jules Verne ATV

Quote:

Watch the ATV launch - LIVE

Jules Verne, ESA's first Automated Transfer Vehicle is set for lift-off from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, at 05:03 CET (04:03 UT), on Sunday 9 March. The launch transmission starts at 04:03 CET (03:03 UT) on 9 March, and will continue for 86 mins after the launch.
Watch the launch live »»

Or, NASA TV (Coverage begins about 1 hour before launch)

Launch target:
March 8, 2003 PST, Saturday
March 8, 2303 EST, Saturday
March 9, 0403 UTC, Sunday
March 9, 0503 CET, Sunday

24 hours to launch

01101001 · #12 (**permalink**) 08-March-2008, 06:03 PM

10-hour countdown started.

ESA: Ariane 5 and Jules Verne ATV arrive at launch pad

Quote:

On Saturday, filling of the main stage with cryogenic propellants starts at 22:00 Kourou time, and will take three hours, almost up to launch time. The 10-hour launch countdown starts at 15:00 Kourou time (19:00 CET).

The latest weather forecast remains favourable for launch.

Jules Verne ATV Launch Blog is active, with interviews, photos, status.

Launch target:
March 8, 2003 PST, Saturday
March 8, 2303 EST, Saturday
March 9, 0103 Kourou, Sunday
March 9, 0403 UTC, Sunday
March 9, 0503 CET, Sunday

10 hours to launch

01101001 · #13 (**permalink**) 09-March-2008, 03:03 AM

How about a little Kourou tour?

Overview of Europe's Spaceport

Quote:

Ariane Launch Zone (ZLA)

Next to the launch pad is a 90-m high water tower containing 1500 m3 of water. This is poured onto the launch table during liftoff at the rate of 30 m3 per second, to help reduce noise, and cool the table and the trenches.

Around the launch pad are four 80-m tall lightening rods as well as a metal tower fitted with baffles to help protect the launcher from air turbulence.

Live Search Map: Aerial view of ZLA launch pad

Jules Verne ATV Launch Blog

Quote:

Countdown looking good

John Ellwood reports from inside the Jupiter control room at Guiana Space Centre that everything looks good in the countdown. Tanking started at 01:00 CET according to schedule.

Live video coverage begins in about 1 hour (but actual content may only begin 20 minutes before launch):
ESA: Watch ATV Launch Live
NASA TV

Launch target:
March 8, 2003 PST, Saturday
March 8, 2303 EST, Saturday
March 9, 0103 Kourou, Sunday
March 9, 0403 UTC, Sunday
March 9, 0503 CET, Sunday

120 minutes to launch

01101001 · #14 (**permalink**) 09-March-2008, 04:39 AM

At 38 minutes past the hour

Still green for launch

5 minutes to start of ESA video coverage

NASA coverage underway

25 minutes to launch

01101001 · #15 (**permalink**) 09-March-2008, 04:48 AM

15 minutes to launch

01101001 · #16 (**permalink**) 09-March-2008, 04:53 AM

My NASA feed on the Web trails the ESA feed by about 30 seconds. It's almost like having instant replay.

10 minutes to launch

light rain

all green

01101001 · #17 (**permalink**) 09-March-2008, 04:56 AM

7-minute automated synchronized launch sequence has begun

7 minutes

01101001 · #18 (**permalink**) 09-March-2008, 04:59 AM

The French-language version of the launch blog is more active, if you can read it.

4 minutes

Halcyon Dayz · #19 (**permalink**) 09-March-2008, 04:59 AM

Almost...

01101001 · #20 (**permalink**) 09-March-2008, 05:02 AM

tout est au vert

60 seconds

01101001 · #21 (**permalink**) 09-March-2008, 05:03 AM

dix

10 seconds

liftoff (I shoulda warned, their liftoff comes about 5 seconds after 0)

Launch window · #22 (**permalink**) 09-March-2008, 05:04 AM

thanks for the commentary

01101001 · #23 (**permalink**) 09-March-2008, 05:05 AM

2 minutes in

01101001 · #24 (**permalink**) 09-March-2008, 05:06 AM

boosters away

core burns for 10 more minutes

fairing sep next

01101001 · #25 (**permalink**) 09-March-2008, 05:08 AM

all good

4.5 minutes in

(and, hey, ain't this new server responsive. vroom!)

Oops. Dinner's ready. Looks like the launch is under control. Later.

01101001 · #26 (**permalink**) 09-March-2008, 05:45 AM

At 26 minutes past the hour, the Launch Blog reported:

Quote:

Jean-Yves Le Gall, head of Arianespace, announced a while ago that the 1st upper stage burn is complete - we've entered the ballistic phase. We've got a bit of a wait now for the 2nd upper stage thrust - that will take place at 06:05 CET (05:05 UT) - another 35 minutes from now. Shortly after that another key event - separation of ATV from the upper stage.

Right now, halfway through ballistic phase.

About 20 minutes to 2nd upper stage thrust

Edit: a little eye candy of nighttime launch:

More launch pictures will no doubt be served up at the ESA ATV site.

01101001 · #27 (**permalink**) 09-March-2008, 06:03 AM

Acquisition of signal right on time.

1 hour in

01101001 · #28 (**permalink**) 09-March-2008, 06:06 AM

2nd upper stage 30-second burn begun over Australia to circularlize orbit

separation in a few minutes

01101001 · #29 (**permalink**) 09-March-2008, 06:10 AM

separation

all good! the audience goes wild. well, they applaud politely.

cigars are lit.

Launch window · #30 (**permalink**) 09-March-2008, 06:27 PM

nasaspaceflight reporting a serious glitch

Quote:

Teams are evaluating a problem with ATV's Propulsion Drive Electronics (PDE) 2.
The system in question controls 25 percent of the vehicle's thrusters, and would require extra prop usages for vehicle control should recovery fail.
The fault is believed to related to a mismatch in ox/fuel flow rates, with a second failure sending the ATV in survival mode.
All burns have been canceled until further notice

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