ATV Jules Verne’s cargo loading

Kourou.- Several major stages have been completed in the ATV launch readiness campaign at the Space Centre in Kourou.

Last week, the ATV’s tanks were filled with 280 litres of drinking water for the astronauts in the International Space Station (ISS). This water has been treated according to Russian standards and will be transferred to the Russian tanks on the ISS.

Around 1,300 kg of ‘dry cargo’ for the inhabitants of the ISS, prepared by the NASA and ESA teams and delivered to Kourou last October, has been stocked in the pressurised module. This includes food (500 kg), clothing (80 kg) and spare parts.

Before loading the dry cargo, the pressurised module was disinfected so as to eliminate any risk of contamination for the astronauts onboard the ISS. These are the last procedures prior to the sealing of the ATV’s pressurised module planned for 13 December. In orbit, once the ATV is docked to the ISS, the astronauts will be able to access the pressurised module via the airlock between the two vehicles.

Also last week the batteries were integrated and connected to the electrical system and the final version of the flight software was loaded.

The coming week will be given over to final checks before the definitive assembly of the spacecraft and the Integrated Cargo Carrier (ICC). This will be yet another key week for the ATV programme, as the flight segment Final Acceptance Review is taking place in Les Mureaux.

Astrium, a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS, is dedicated to providing civil and defence space systems and services. In 2006, Astrium had a turnover of €3.2 billion and 12,000 employees in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain and the Netherlands. Its three main areas of activity are: Astrium Space Transportation for launchers and orbital infrastructure, Astrium Satellites for spacecraft and ground segment, and its wholly owned subsidiary Astrium Services for the development and delivery of satellite services.

EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2006, EADS generated revenues of €39.4 billion and employed a workforce of more than 116, 000.

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