Europe sets launch window for maiden mission of space freighter

0 Comments | AFP, January, 2008

PARIS (AFP) — The European Space Agency (ESA) on Tuesday said it expected to carry out the maiden launch of a robot supply ship to the orbital space station between February 22 and March 8 or 9.

"The ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle) will be launched from the 22nd February to the 8th, 9th March," John Ellwood, mission manager in charge of the unmanned space freighter, told journalists here.

Loading and fuelling the ATV at ESA's launch pad at Kourou, French Guiana, should be completed by this Saturday. It would then be transferred for final assembly to the Ariane 5 launcher, he said.

The ATV, one of Europe's two biggest contributions to the International Space Station (ISS), has an at-launch mass of 19.5 tonnes, of which 7.5 tonnes comprise food, water,...