European freighter set to leave space station on Friday

0 Comments | AFP, September, 2008

PARIS (AFP) — A robot freighter that docked with the International Space Station (ISS) in April will detach this week prior to be being destroyed in a controlled operation over the Pacific, the European Space Agency (ESA) said on Tuesday.

ESA's Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) brought 7.5 tonnes of equipment, water and air to the ISS crew on its maiden flight, and has been used as a temporary leisure centre and sleeping area for the past five months.

Carrying refuse, it will automatically undock from the station at 2130 GMT on Friday, ESA said in a press release.

Its engines will use some of the remaining fuel to park the 13.5-tonne craft in a new orbit over the following three weeks.

On September 29, the ATV will be sent plummeting on a suicidal...