Science / Space & Cosmos
Europe’s Journey to the Center of the Space Station
By WARREN E. LEARY
Published: March 4, 2008

With the launching of the Jules Verne on Sunday, 17 countries increase their investment in space.

Europe is set to significantly increase its involvement with the International Space Station with the launching of a large new spacecraft that is to regularly supply the outpost with fuel, oxygen and other cargo.

This in earlier this AM from the ESA media office: Arianespace and the European Space Agency confirmed today that the launch of Jules Verne, the first Automated Transfer Vehicle, is delayed 24 hours due to a technical concern about the ATV/Ariane 5 launcher separation system. The Jules Verne launch is rescheduled for 00:59 Kourou time, 03:59 UTC, 04:59 CET on Sunday 9 March 2008. Full details after the jump.

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A quick post as we get warmed up for launch next week! Here's a reprint from the ESA Web portal showing Jules Verne, the first Automated Transfer Vehicle, integrated and encapsulated under its huge fairing on top of its Ariane 5 launcher. With a total mass of about 19 360 kg, Jules Verne is the largest payload ever launched by Ariane 5. The historic mission with the first European space vessel for the ISS is scheduled for a night-time launch on 8 March at 05:23 CET from Fench Guiana.

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