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Cargo Ship Docks With ISS

Unmanned European vessel hooks up to International Space Station

By Zach Samalin,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 3, 2008 1:17 PM CDT
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(Newser) – European cargo vessel Jules Verne docked flawlessly today at the International Space Station, Space.com reports. The double-decker-sized space hauler has about 8 tons of supplies on board for astronauts at the station, including food and water, rocket propellant—even handwritten documents from the real Jules Verne, a 19th-century science fiction writer.

"Around the world in 26 days, the Jules Verne has pulled into port at the International Space Station," said Mission Control in Houston. European flight controllers guided the docking from France. The unmanned ship, which cost $2 billion and weighs 21 tons, is the first of up to seven such cargo vessels that Europe will send in coming years. Astronauts will fill it with garbage and send it back toward Earth in August; it will burn up upon re-entry in the atmosphere.

The Jules Verne cargo vessel approaches the International Space Station for a practice maneuver. It moved to within 36 feet of the Zvezda Service Module in rehearsal for docking on Thursday.
The Jules Verne cargo vessel approaches the International Space Station for a practice maneuver. It moved to within 36 feet of the Zvezda Service Module in rehearsal for docking on Thursday.   (AP Photo/NASA TV)
The European cargo ship Jules Verne was cleared to park at the International Space Station. The double-decker bus-sized vessel will dock tomorrow morning.
The European cargo ship Jules Verne was cleared to park at the International Space Station. The double-decker bus-sized vessel will dock tomorrow morning.   (AP Photo/NASA)
The European cargo ship Jules Verne was cleared to park at the International Space Station. The double-decker bus-sized vessel will dock tomorrow morning.
The European cargo ship Jules Verne was cleared to park at the International Space Station. The double-decker bus-sized vessel will dock tomorrow morning.   (AP Photo/NASA)
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Space.com

 
NASA • European Space Agency • International Space Station • space flight • spacecraft • cargo ships • Jules Verne • space program • space mission

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