Author Topic: Ariane V ES - ATV-3 "Edoardo Amaldi" Launch, Docking & APO - Mar-Sep, 2012  (Read 223905 times)

Offline Space Pete

Parts of ATV Edoardo Amaldi coming together.
 
19 January 2011
While ESA's second Automated Transfer Vehicle, Johannes Kepler, is undergoing final launch preparations, its successor, ATV Edoardo Amaldi, is shaping up in Bremen. The launch of Europe’s third space ferry is planned for February 2012.
 
The three main parts of ATV-3 arrived at the premises of EADS Astrium in Bremen, Germany, in December. The vehicle is now waiting to be assembled at the end of January.

The Integrated Cargo Carrier, built by Thales Alenia Space Italy, was transported by a voluminous Beluga aircraft from Turin airport just before Christmas.

This module represents about 60% of the total ATV volume and will hold all the liquid and dry cargo, totalling up to 7.5 tonnes. 
 
Europe-wide engineering expertise
 
The Equipped Propulsion Bay, containing the rocket engines and propellant tanks, was built on site in Bremen. The Equipped Avionics Bay – ATV's 'brain' – was delivered from Toulouse, France, after thermal vacuum testing.

As the computers in the avionics bay generate a lot of heat, the thermal control system of this section is particularly sophisticated – and vital for ATV's success.

These two modules will be combined at the end of the month into their final configuration for launch. Later in the spring, the cargo carrier will be electrically connected with them for final testing.

ATV-3 will be shipped to the launch site, Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, in September for dispatch to the ISS in February 2012.
 
Mass-producing the cargo craft
 
The newest ATV, named after a leading figure in Italian space science last century, will be the first to be processed and launched within the target cadence of one ATV per year.

Construction of the following ATVs is also on schedule to keep up the tempo.

"The main challenges of Edoardo Amaldi will be not only to perform its very complex mission as successfully as its predecessors, but also to prepare it within a much shorter interval since the previous one," says Massimo Cislaghi, ESA’s ATV-3 Mission Manager.

"This implies, for instance, that any technical information from the Johannes Kepler mission will become available only when the Edoardo Amaldi preparations are already at a very advanced stage."

So far, the only differences between the two spacecraft are the name and the cargo manifest.

The launch by the end of February 2012 will be, "vital for space station logistics, especially at a time when the operational life of the US Space Shuttle will have come to an end, and its replacement might not yet be ready," comments Massimo.

After being happily mated in Bremen for system integration and testing, the parts will then be separated. Their next destination is French Guiana, where all the pieces will be reassembled and tested again before the vessel's voyage into space.

www.esa.int/esaMI/ATV/SEMECJ6SXIG_0.html
« Last Edit: 04/03/2012 06:35 pm by Space Pete »
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Offline Capt. Nemo

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Not that anyone is going to ask my opinion, but I was kind of hoping that they would name one of the ATV's for H.G. Wells.
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Offline anik

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Astrium ships ATV “Edoardo Amaldi”
11 august 2011

http://www.astrium.eads.net/node.php?articleid=7404

• Third ATV en route to Kourou
• “Edoardo Amaldi” scheduled to fly to the ISS in the spring of 2012
• ATV plays an indispensable role in carrying supplies to the ISS

Bremen, 11 August 2011 – “Edoardo Amaldi”, the third European cargo spacecraft for the International Space Station (ISS), is on its way to the European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. The Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) has undergone extensive system testing at Astrium’s Bremen site over the last few months and has now been given the go-ahead for the final stage prior to the cargo spacecraft’s flight to the ISS.

“Edoardo Amaldi” is slated for launch in the spring of 2012. On behalf of the European Space Agency (ESA), Astrium is responsible for both development and production of the ATV. The production of ATV units two to five – as well as mission preparation and operations support – is covered by the “Exploitation” contract, which governs the operation and provisioning of the European components of the ISS. Astrium is responsible for carrying out these activities on ESA’s behalf.

“Edoardo Amaldi” is the second production unit, following on from the highly successful first flight model “Jules Verne” and the first production unit “Johannes Kepler”. Astrium has orders for a total of four ATV production units from ESA – a testimony to the high reliability Astrium has shown as ESA’s prime contractor for the development of ATV and also of Columbus.

“The extension of the ISS mission until 2020 presents Astrium with further opportunities in regard to both the supply and the operation of the ISS,” explained Dr. Michael Menking, Astrium’s Senior Vice President of Orbital Systems and Exploration, speaking as the ATV set off from Bremen on Thursday. He also confirmed that production of the ATV units is currently running according to schedule: “Edoardo Amaldi” is on its way to Kourou, and ATV 4 “Albert Einstein” has reached the integration stage in Bremen. Menking added that delivery of the first batch of structures for ATV 5 is imminent, which will enable integration work to begin soon.

ATV must comply with the safety requirements for human spaceflight. Thus ATV’s digital and electronic architecture features double and triple redundancies. A fault-tolerant computer – consisting of three computer modules – ensures the reliable and smooth execution of the ATV mission.

“With the retirement of the US Space Shuttle, ATV is the largest vehicle supplying the ISS. Considering its technological challenges, like automatic rendezvous and docking, ATV is the most sophisticated space vehicle ever built in Europe,” said Menking.

 “Edoardo Amaldi” will be shipped to the European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, in three special containers, accompanied by some 45 sea containers taking care of test equipment. At Kourou’s spaceport, final assembly will be performed on the spacecraft, Integrated Cargo Carrier (ICC), solar panels and the Separation and Distancing Module (SDM), which forms the interface between ATV and the Ariane 5 launcher. The ATV will then be subjected to further extensive tests on site before being fuelled, loaded and integrated as a payload on an Ariane 5. “According to our schedule planning, we will be ready for launch for this third mission to the ISS in the spring of 2012,” Menking added. The other ATVs are being produced at a rate of one per year.

ATV is Europe’s contribution to supplying the ISS. On a typical mission, ATV carries water, gases, fuel, food and scientific equipment to the ISS. Once its mission is over, ATV is loaded with waste, undocked from the ISS and burns up during a controlled re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere. ATV is also responsible for regularly boosting the ISS to its operational orbit of around 400 km, performing attitude control for the ISS, and carrying out manoeuvres to avoid collisions with space debris.

Weighing in at 20 metric tons, ATV has a maximum net cargo capacity of up to 7 metric tons. The composition of this payload can vary depending on the mission: 1.5 to 5.5 metric tons of freight and supplies (food, research instruments, tools, etc.), up to 840 kilograms of drinking water, up to 100 kilograms of gases (air, oxygen and nitrogen), up to 4.6 metric tons of fuel for orbit correction and attitude control, and up to 860 kilograms of propellant to refuel the space station.

Offline erioladastra

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Just to be clear on the thread title, March 5 is a NET at this point.

Offline Space Pete

Moderator note: Threads merged.
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Offline robertross

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Just to be clear on the thread title, March 5 is a NET at this point.

Thanks.

Offline Nicolas PILLET

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Not that anyone is going to ask my opinion, but I was kind of hoping that they would name one of the ATV's for H.G. Wells.

Very very very unlikely, since Great Britain is not much invested in the ATV program. Even the British flag has desappeared in the ISS !
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Offline nacnud

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We had a flag on the ISS, wow considering we've hardly contributed enough to buy the sticker ;)

Offline Space Pete

Even the British flag has desappeared in the ISS !

Once again, Britain is at the forefront of modern science and exploration! ::)
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Offline Prober

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Not that anyone is going to ask my opinion, but I was kind of hoping that they would name one of the ATV's for H.G. Wells.

Very very very unlikely, since Great Britain is not much invested in the ATV program. Even the British flag has desappeared in the ISS !

Never realized this.  Maybe the UK will wise up and talk to Bigelow, would be a nice addition to the ISS.
 
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Online Salo

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“Edoardo Amaldi” slated to launch to the ISS on March 7, 2012.
http://www.ria.ru/science/20110816/418230135.html

Offline Holi

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ATV Edoardo Amaldi arrives in Kourou

http://www.esa.int/esaHS/SEMYCVRTJRG_index_0.html

"26 August 2011
ATV-3, Europe’s next unmanned cargo carrier to the International Space Station, has completed its first long voyage – sailing across the Atlantic. It is now at Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana to be prepared for launch early next year..."


Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/esa_events/sets/72157627397530403/

Offline jacqmans

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The next ATV resupply spacecraft arrives for Arianespace's 2012 mission to service the International Space Station

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2011/834.asp

August 26, 2011 – Ariane flight with ATV Edoardo Amaldi

Arianespace’s role in supporting the International Space Station’s continuing operations was underscored with the arrival of Europe’s third Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) resupply vessel in French Guiana, which is to be launched next year by an Ariane 5 for servicing of the crewed facility in Earth orbit.

The ATV Edoardo Amaldi – named after the Italian cosmic ray physicist who was a founding father of European space research – is now at the Spaceport after arriving yesterday in French Guiana aboard the MN Toucan.  This roll-on/roll-off seagoing vessel is one of two used by Arianespace to transport launch vehicle components from Europe to South America, and the ships also are made available for exceptional loads such as the ATV.
 
For its three-week voyage from Germany’s North Sea harbor of Bremerhaven, the ATV Edoardo Amaldi was shipped in three sections that were protected by hermetically-sealed containers, accompanied by some 45 other containers with test and checkout equipment for the spacecraft’s preparation at the Spaceport.

This will be the third ATV launched by Arianespace, following its orbiting of the ATV Johannes Kepler last January, and ATV Jules Verne in March 2008. 

With the retirement of the U.S. Space Shuttle fleet, Europe’s ATV is the largest vehicle supplying the International Space Station, and is among the heaviest payloads orbited by Ariane 5 – weighing in at some 20 metric tons for liftoff.  Pre-launch preparations at the Spaceport are performed to strict safety and cleanliness standards of a manned spacecraft, as the vehicle becomes part of the International Space Station while docked to the orbital facility.

The ATVs typically carry water, gases, fuel, food and scientific equipment to the International Space Station.  While docked to the facility for up to six months, the ATVs are used as well to regularly boost the station back up to its operational orbit of approximately 400 km., while also performing attitude control duties, and carrying out maneuvers to avoid collisions with space debris.  Once their missions are completed, the ATVs are loaded with waste and undocked for a controlled re-entry and burn-up in the Earth’s atmosphere.

Current planning calls for the ATV Edoardo Amaldi to be launched in the spring of 2012, carrying about two metric tons of dry cargo, 285 kg. of water and more than three tons of propellant.

The ATV program is performed under management of the European Space Agency, and is part of Europe’s contribution to International Space Station’s creation and operation.  Production of the resupply spacecraft involves a European industry team led by prime contractor EADS Astrium.

Jacques :-)

Offline bolun

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Europe's third Automated Transfer Vehicle begins its preparations for launch on Ariane 5

August 31, 2011 – Ariane flight with ATV Edoardo Amaldi

The preparation campaign for Europe’s third Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) has begun in French Guiana as this large cargo resupply spacecraft is readied for a spring 2012 Ariane 5 launch by Arianespace to service the International Space Station.

During activity in the Spaceport’s S5 payload preparation facility, the ATV’s two main components – its Integrated Cargo Carrier and the Service Module – are undergoing initial checkout, starting a 180-day launch campaign.

Both elements are in the S5 facility’s large S5C hall, having been unloaded from the shipping containers that protected them during the multi-week sea voyage from Europe to South America.  S5C is the largest of the S5 building’s preparation halls, and has 700 sq. meters of clean room facilities for major payloads such as the ATV.  It also includes adjacent dedicated office areas for the technical teams performing payload checkout duties.

The ATV arrived in French Guiana last week aboard the MN Toucan – one of two roll-on/roll-off seagoing vessels used by Arianespace to transport launch vehicle components from Europe to South America, and which also are made available for exceptional loads such as the ATV.

Named after Italian cosmic ray physicist Edoardo Amaldi, this latest ATV will carry about two metric tons of dry cargo, 285 kg. of water and more than three tons of propellants, based on current planning.

ATV Edoardo Amaldi will be the third such resupply spacecraft launched by Arianespace for servicing of the International Space Station.  The first was ATV Jules Verne, orbited in March 2008, followed by ATV Johannes Kepler last January.

Managed by the European Space Agency, the ATV program is part of Europe’s contribution to the International Space Station’s creation and operation.  EADS Astrium is the ATV’s prime contractor, leading a European industry team.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2011/835.asp

Offline arkaska

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I thought that after ATV-2 the cargo would be focused on dry cargo and not propellant. Have this changed?

Offline Space Pete

I thought that after ATV-2 the cargo would be focused on dry cargo and not propellant. Have this changed?

Yes - ATV-3 was supposed to have lots of internal modifications to support dry cargo. Propellants were supposed to be less of a priority due to the "big boost" performed by ATV-2.

I don't know what the status of this is though.
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Offline arkaska

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Yes - ATV-3 was supposed to have lots of internal modifications to support dry cargo. Propellants were supposed to be less of a priority due to the "big boost" performed by ATV-2.

I don't know what the status of this is though.

That's what I read as well. But I don't see "more than 3 tones of propellant" to be less of a priority on propellant.

Offline bolun

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The Arianespace launcher family comes together in French Guiana

October 26, 2011 – Ariane Flight VA205, Vega Flight VV01 and Soyuz Flight VS02

Arianespace’s full launcher family is now an operational reality as flight-ready versions of all three vehicles – Ariane 5, Soyuz and Vega – are together at the Spaceport for the first time, positioning them for upcoming missions with payloads that range from compact scientific and educational spacecraft to a large resupply vessel for the International Space Station.

The most recent arrivals in French Guiana are a heavy-lift Ariane 5 and the initial lightweight Vega – both of which were delivered this week to the Spaceport by the MN Colibri roll-on/roll-off ship after a trans-Atlantic voyage from Europe.  They join a medium-lift Soyuz launcher that was transported from Russia aboard the MN Colibri earlier this year.

The Ariane 5 will be assembled for an early 2012 liftoff from the Spaceport’s ELA-3 launch zone with Europe’s latest Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), which is the third entrusted to Arianespace for orbiting.

This ATV, named after Italian physicist Edoardo Amaldi, will be loaded with dry cargo, water and propellants for a rendezvous with the space station in low-Earth orbit.  It will be launched on a mission designated VA205 in Arianespace’s launcher family numbering, signifying the 205th flight of a vehicle in the Ariane series.

Its ATV payload was developed in a program managed by the European Space Agency, and is a 20-metric-ton-class spacecraft that serves as a vital element of the International Space Station’s logistics. 

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2011/859.asp
« Last Edit: 10/28/2011 01:57 pm by bolun »

Offline jacqmans

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Launcher build-up begins for Arianespace's third Ariane 5 mission to orbit an Automated Transfer Vehicle


November 7, 2011 – Ariane Flight VA205

The Ariane 5 for Arianespace’s third flight to service the International Space Station has begun its build-up at the Spaceport, preparing this heavy-lift launcher for an early 2012 mission from French Guiana with a European Automated Transfer Vehicle cargo resupply vessel.

During activity in the Spaceport’s Launcher Integration Building, the Ariane 5’s core cryogenic stage was removed from its protective shipping container and raised into position over one of two operational mobile launch tables.

This cleared the way for rollout of the two solid propellant boosters, which will be mated to the core stage.  It is to be followed by integration of the EPS storable propellant upper stage and vehicle equipment bay, completing the basic assembly for the Ariane 5 ES version used on missions with Automated Transfer Vehicles.

The upcoming flight will continue Arianespace’s support of International Space Station servicing, orbiting ATVs that support operation of the crewed orbital facility.  Named after Italian cosmic ray physicist Edoardo Amaldi, this latest Automated Transfer Vehicle will carry dry cargo, water and propellant.

The previous Ariane 5 missions with ATVs were launched by Arianespace in February of this year and in March 2008.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2011/864.asp
Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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During activity inside the Spaceport’s integration building, the Ariane 5’s core cryogenic stage is raised into position over its mobile launch table.
« Last Edit: 11/09/2011 08:12 pm by jacqmans »
Jacques :-)

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