The first of nine European Space Agency (ESA) Automatic Transfer Vehicles (ATV) is to be launched to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2003. Arianespace will launch the ATVs on nine Ariane 5s between 2003 and 2014 in a launch services contract, described as the largest in the history of the European space industry. Each 20t ATV will be placed in 300km (185 miles), 51.6° orbits, from where they will manoeuvre to rendezvous and dock with the ISS. The ATV will provide unpressurised cargo, including propellant, and cargo stored in its pressurised compartment, including payloads and experiments. The ATV will also provide an orbital reboosting capability for the ISS and will later be filled with waste for disposal during a controlled, destructive re-entry.
Source: Flight International
