We received word from Kourou earlier this evening that Jules Verne ATV has successfully passed today's Launch Readiness Review.

ISS partners from NASA and Russia also participated in the review which brings ESA's first International Space Station resupply spaceship a step closer to launch this Sunday. 


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A quick note on today's timeline: the ATV Launch Readiness Review will take place in Kourou later this afternoon CET. Also, I just noted a nice post yesterday from Astrium's ATV Programme Manager Nicolas Chamussy, who is in Kourou for the launch. Astrium is the prime contractor responsible for building the ATV. -- Daniel

A last inspection on the separation system between the Ariane 5 launcher and the ATV highlighted an anomaly in the routing of a bonding strap, quickly corrected on March, 3rd after an swift fairing removal. Jules Verne ATV is again under its protective cocoon since yesterday and all further tests were sucessfully performed. The whole team is enjoying the last days at the Final Assembly Building, babysitting our bird before its rolled-out on Friday to the launch pad. Batteries are charged on a regular basis, while the thermal condition of the vehicle is carefully managed.