Confirmation just over 30 minutes ago from ATV Control Centre that Jules Verne successfully undocked from the International Space Station at 23:29 CEST (21:29 UT) this evening. More info in the press release on the ESA website...

At the end of a flawless six-month mission, Jules Verne, Europe’s first Automated Transfer Vehicle, undocked from the International Space Station today at 23:29 hours CEST. The ATV has now embarked on the last leg of its journey in space, which will end with a controlled destructive re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere on 29 September.

Read the press release in full.

-- Maria

Hot off the press... the digital press, that is. An updated ATV Information Kit with more information about the undocking and re-entry - it includes a timeline for events between now and 29 September and some details of the ESA/NASA observation campaign.

Download the new version of the ATV Information Kit (roughly 3 MB) by clicking here.

-- Maria

New article on the ESA website in the lead up to Friday's undocking:

In just a few days time, the historic Jules Verne mission will draw to an end. After the ATV Control Centre commands the opening of the Automated Transfer Vehicle hooks, ESA's first resupply and reboost vehicle will perform a fully automated undocking with the International Space Station on 5 September at 23:30 CEST (21:30 UT).

Access full article via this link

No live blogging of the undocking is scheduled. There will be an announcement on the ESA website after successful undocking - which we will also post a link to here. You can expect intensive blog coverage of the deorbit of Jules Verne on 29 September.

--Maria