Thales Alenia Space Technologies Participate to ATV Docking

(Cannes, April 2, 2008) -- On April 3rd, the ATV Jules Verne will dock to the International Space Station (ISS), representing a new era in European space activities. This first mission is an important and complex step as it represents a maiden flight, a completely automated way of approaching and docking to the Station. The ATV (Automatic Transfer Vehicle), developed under an ESA contract by prime contractor EADS Astrium, was launched from Kourou, French Guiana by an Ariane 5 ES to the ISS on March 9, 2008.

Thales Alenia Space, as principal subcontractor, has provided the ICC (Integrated Cargo Carrier) pressurized module. In addition to providing housing for the astronauts and materials, equipment, air, water and fuel for the Station, this module carries all the ATV docking systems, electronics and sensors used to guide itself through the final phase of approach.

To perform this rendezvous, the company supplied ATV communication equipment, meaning the proximity link communications equipment between the ATV and the ISS, the ATV's TTC (Tracking, Telemetry and Command) data relay communications with the Earth stations through the NASA's TDRSS satellite constellation, as well as the Video Visual Target and related electronic. In addition, Thales Alenia Space has integrated in the ICC the Videometer (VDM) and Telegoniometer eye-like sensors, the first automatic optical operational systems ever used for spacecraft navigation.

Source : Thales Alenia Space

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