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Space Truck Shoots Into Orbit

Europe's robotic space freighter to service ISS

By Jane Yager,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 9, 2008 11:42 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Europe's first automated cargo ship blasted off from the South American jungle early today, headed for a rendezvous with the International Space Station, the BBC reports. The craft—the biggest and most complex that Europe has ever launched—will deliver food, water, pressurized air, fuel, and personal items to the ISS crew and remove garbage.

The spacecraft carves out a place for Europe as "an essential partner of the International Space Station," according to the European Space Agency chief. The almost $2 billion ship, dubbed Jules Verne, will spend six months moored to the ISS, then will detach and safely disintegrate over the Pacific Ocean, AFP reports.

This photo released by the European Space Agency shows the Ariane-5 ES rocket after take off from the launch pad at Kourou space center, French Guyana, Sunday March 9, 2008. A European rocket was successfully launched into space on Sunday from French Guyana on a mission to bring oxygen, food,...
This photo released by the European Space Agency shows the Ariane-5 ES rocket after take off from the launch pad at Kourou space center, French Guyana, Sunday March 9, 2008. A European rocket was successfully...   (Associated Press)
This photo released by the European Space Agency shows the Ariane-5 ES rocket taking off from the launch pad at Kourou space center, French Guyana, Sunday March 9, 2008. A European rocket was successfully launched into space on Sunday from French Guyana on a mission to bring oxygen, food, water...
This photo released by the European Space Agency shows the Ariane-5 ES rocket taking off from the launch pad at Kourou space center, French Guyana, Sunday March 9, 2008. A European rocket was successfully...   (Associated Press)
An artist's impression dated from November 2007 and provided by the European Space Agency ESA shows the European Automated Transfer Vehicle ATV Jules Verne advancing to the International Space Station ISS, in background, in an orbit over planet Earth. A European Ariane-5 rocket lifted off from French Guyana early Sunday,...
An artist's impression dated from November 2007 and provided by the European Space Agency ESA shows the European Automated Transfer Vehicle ATV "Jules Verne" advancing to the International Space Station...   (Associated Press)
This photo released by the European Space Agency shows the Ariane-5 ES rocket on a launch pad after it was rolled out in Kouru, French Guyana, Saturday March 8, 2008 This launcher which carries Europe's Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) resupply spacecraft - is scheduled for an early morning March 9,...
This photo released by the European Space Agency shows the Ariane-5 ES rocket on a launch pad after it was rolled out in Kouru, French Guyana, Saturday March 8, 2008 This launcher which carries Europe's...   (Associated Press)
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Rocket takes off from French Guiana
Reuters

Britain on sidelines in European space launch
Guardian (UK)

 
European Space Agency • Pacific Ocean • International Space Station • spacecraft • French Guiana • Jules Verne • space truck

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