Ioonos

The cargo vessel of the future has proved itself

On 9 March 2008 the ATV (Automated Transfer Vessel) was launched from Kourou by an Ariane rocket, targeted on the International Space Station. But why did it only dock on 3 April?
The ATV had to show off its skills! Entirely automated, between launch and docking it demonstrated its ability to carry out a mission in total safety, thanks to various procedures undertaken by its control centre in Toulouse.
It first successfully performed a shunting manoeuvre, and then made an approach up to 3.5 km from the International Space Station, using mainly the “Relative GPS” navigation system in its world debut. The entire rendezvous system was then tested and the ATV approached to within 12 m of the Station a few days before docking. Then lastly the cargo vessel carried out a “Reverse” manoeuvre to a parking position far behind the station. With the demonstrations a success, contact between the ATV and ISS took place on 3 April at 2.41pm GMT.

To know everything about the ATV, Ioonos has increased the entries! For you to play with…… ATV.

You can also practise the ATV’s approach and docking manoeuvre