ATV-1

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ESA Sets ATV-3 Launch for 23 March 2012

ATV-Soyuz-Apollo
Comparison of the ATV Spacecraft and the Russian Soyuz and the American Apollo
Image Credit: ESA

The European Space Agency (ESA) has confirmed the launch date and time for the Edoardo Amaldi (ATV-3): Friday 23 March at 0431 UTC (Thursday evening at 9:31 PM Phoenix time).

An accelerated docking schedule will bring the resupply vehicle to the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday 28 March at 2251 UTC.

In September, having been filled with trash from the ISS, the ATV will undock, perform a retro rocket firing, and burn up over the Pacific Ocean.

The ESA ATV is currently the largest resupply vehicle supporting the ISS (See the comparison above). ATV-3 will carry the largest load of dry cargo to the ISS than any previous ATV mission:

  • ATV-1 in 2008: 1150 kg
  • ATV-2 in 2011: 1605 kg
  • ATV-3 in 2012: 2201 kg

Currently, there is no spare Fluids Control Pump Assembly (FCPA) on the space station. This is a critical component on the ISS used to recycle urine into drinkable water and the spare is going up with ATV-3.
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European Space Agency ATV-3 Mission to ISS Delayed to Late March

ICC
Integrated Cargo Carrier (ICC) in Bremen, Germany
Image Credit: ESA

Loading ATV-3
Loading Cargo Aboard the ICC on the Edoardo Amaldi (ATV-3)
Image Credit: ESA

The scheduled launch of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) third resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS), will be moved from 9 March 2012 to the 22-23 March time frame. A strap securing the cargo in the ICC (upper right) has become loose, and engineers will have to access the interior of the vehicle in order to reconnect the strap.

The launch had been scheduled for 3:05 Phoenix time (10:05 UTC) from Kourou, French Guiana.

The ATV-3 Edoardo Amaldi will deliver 4,395 kg of propellant, oxygen, air and water to the Station. The ICC will deliver 2,450 kg of dry cargo, for a total of 6,845 kg. Previously, the Johannes Kepler (ATV-2) carried 6,600 kg of fuel and cargo to the ISS. The launch was on 15 February 2011, and docking occurred on 26 February 2011. The first ATV – the
ATV-1 Jules Verne – flew on 9 March 2008, and docked on 3 April.

The Edoardo Amaldi will carry a total of 6271 kg of fuel. The ATV will consume 2,200 kg on the spacecraft’s journey to the ISS, and for the de-orbit burn. Attitude control and several re-boost burns during the six month stay will use an additional 3,000 kg. The remaining 860 kg will be transferred to the Russian portion of the International Space Station for later maneuvering.

Below is a cutaway view of an Automated Transfer Vehicle illustrating the main components of the spacecraft. The launch will be carried live by ESA television at http://television.esa.int/

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Cutaway View of the ESA Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV)
Image Credit: ESA