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Europe's Jules Verne craft docks at space station

In this image from NASA TV on Thursday, Jules Verne Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) docked with the International Space Station, both flying in free drift mode. This view is from the onboard cameras. PHOTO: EPA

A new European cargo ship flew up to the International Space Station and docked on Thursday, successfully delivering food, water and clothes in its orbital debut.

The unmanned cargo ship, called Jules Verne, was operated by flight controllers at a European Space Agency center in Toulouse, France.

NASA’s Mission Control in Houston and Russia’s control center outside Moscow kept close tabs on the operation, which culminated in the morning linkup more than 322km above the Atlantic. So did the three space station residents.

Twice over the past week, flight controllers in Toulouse guided Jules Verne to close encounters with the space station. The practice gave them confidence that the spacecraft’s systems would perform as planned for the docking. Indeed, everything went smoothly, with the automatic linkup following a 26-day flight.

Jules Verne is named after the French science-fiction writer who wrote about extraordinary voyages under the sea, through the air and into space. His 19th-century works included Around the World in 80 Days and From the Earth to the Moon

Some of the author’s original notes were packed aboard the spacecraft to commemorate its maiden voyage, along with a copy of From the Earth to the Moon and its sequel, Around the Moon.

NASA flight director Brian Smith said he did not know when the items would be returned to Earth.

The spacecraft was due to be opened yesterday, and the crew was expected to start unloading it today.
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