Albert Einstein ATV
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This article or section documents a current or recent spaceflight. Details may change as the mission progresses. For more information please see WikiProject Spaceflight. |
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| Mission type | ISS resupply |
|---|---|
| Operator | European Space Agency |
| COSPAR ID | 2013-027A |
| SATCAT № | 39175 |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | ATV |
| Manufacturer | EADS Astrium Thales Alenia Space |
| Launch mass | 20,190 kilograms (44,500 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 5 June 2013, 21:52:11 UTC[1][2] |
| Rocket | Ariane 5ES |
| Launch site | Kourou ELA-3 |
| Contractor | Arianespace |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Low Earth |
| Inclination | 51.6 degrees |
| Docking with ISS | |
| Docking port | Zvezda Aft |
| Docking date | 15 June 2013, 14:07 UTC |
| Cargo | |
| Mass | 6,590 kilograms (14,500 lb) |
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The Albert Einstein ATV, or Automated Transfer Vehicle 004 (ATV-004), is a European unmanned cargo resupply spacecraft, named after the German-born physicist Albert Einstein.[3] The purpose of the spacecraft is to supply the International Space Station (ISS) with propellant, water, air, and dry cargo. It is the fourth and penultimate ATV to be built, following the Edoardo Amaldi, which was launched in March 2012. Albert Einstein's components were constructed in Turin, Italy, and Bremen, Germany, and underwent final assembly and testing in Bremen in 2012.[4][5] The spacecraft left Bremen for Kourou on 31 August 2012 to begin launch preparations.[6]
Albert Einstein was launched on an Ariane 5ES rocket from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana at 21:52:11 GMT on 5 June 2013.[7] The launch was conducted by Arianespace on behalf of the European Space Agency. At the time of its launch, Albert Einstein was the heaviest spacecraft ever launched to orbit by an Ariane rocket, with a total mass of 20,190 kilograms (44,500 lb).[2] The ATV docked successfully with the ISS at 14:07 GMT (16:07 CEST) on 15 June 2013.[8]
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Mission payload[edit]
The Albert Einstein not only supplies the ISS with cargo for use on the space station, it also supplies fuel, water and air to ensure the continued operation of the station. In addition, the ATV will use its own thrusters and fuel supply to reboost the ISS, in order to counteract the drag the residual atmosphere imposes on the station. The total cost of the Albert Einstein mission will be approximately 450 million euros.[9]
At the time of its launch, the Albert Einstein held the record for:[2]
- Most dry cargo launched in any European spacecraft – 2,480 kilograms (5,500 lb);
- Most diverse cargo mix aboard a spacecraft – 1,400 different items;
- Largest quantity of late cargo (cargo added only two weeks before launch, while Albert Einstein was already mated to the top of the Ariane 5 rocket) – 620 kilograms (1,400 lb).
A full cargo breakdown is provided in the following table:
| Cargo | Mass |
|---|---|
| ISS reboost/attitude control propellant |
2,580 kilograms (5,700 lb) |
| ISS refuel propellant |
860 kilograms (1,900 lb) |
| Water (for Russian Segment) | 570 kilograms (1,300 lb) |
| Gas (1 tank O2, 2 tanks air) | 100 kilograms (220 lb) |
| Dry cargo (food, clothes, equipment) |
2,480 kilograms (5,500 lb) |
| Total | 6,590 kilograms (14,500 lb) |
Mission summary[edit]
Launch[edit]
Albert Einstein arrived at the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana, in September 2012. [6] It was launched on an Ariane 5ES rocket at 21:52:11 GMT (23:52:11 CEST) on 5 June 2013.[7]
Cruise[edit]
After launch, Albert Einstein spent ten days conducting orbital manoeuvres before docking with the ISS. This time frame was chosen for logistical rather than technological reasons – the ATV is capable of docking with the station five days after launch, as demonstrated by the Edoardo Amaldi ATV, but the launch from Kourou could not occur later, as the launch pad was required for subsequent commercial launches. In addition, docking with the ISS could not occur before 11 June, as the Zvezda port (where the Albert Einstein docked) was occupied by Progress 51. After Progress 51 departed on 11 June, cameras on the ISS checked the Zvezda docking port to ensure that no damage was caused when Progress 51 docked with the station, as it had a stuck navigation antenna which could have potentially damaged the docking port.[10][11][12] No damage to the docking port was detected, and so the ATV's docking proceeded as planned.[13]
Docking[edit]
The ATV docked successfully with the ISS at 14:07 GMT (16:07 CEST) on 15 June 2013.[8]
ATV missions[edit]
| Designation | Name | Launch date | ISS docking date | Deorbit date | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATV-001 | Jules Verne | 9 March 2008 | 3 April 2008 | 29 September 2008 | [14][15] |
| ATV-002 | Johannes Kepler | 16 February 2011 | 24 February 2011 | 21 June 2011 | [16][17] |
| ATV-003 | Edoardo Amaldi | 23 March 2012 | 28 March 2012 | 4 October 2012 | [18][19][20][21] |
| ATV-004 | Albert Einstein | 5 June 2013 | 15 June 2013 | 28 October 2013 | [22][23][24] |
| ATV-005 | Georges Lemaître | TBA June 2014 | TBA | TBA | [21] |
References[edit]
- ^ "ATV-4 scheduled for summer liftoff". ESA. 11 April 2013. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
- ^ a b c d "Europe's heaviest cargo ship luanched to Space Station". ESA. 5 June 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
- ^ "ATV-4 to carry name Albert Einstein". ESA. 26 May 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
- ^ "Europe's second cargo freighter to fly in December". Spaceflight Now. 17 September 2010. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
- ^ "Arianespace... Feeding Amaldi (Launch)". SatNews. 23 January 2012. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
- ^ a b "ATV-4 Albert Einstein en route to Kourou". EADS. 31 August 2012. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
- ^ a b "Europe's Heaviest Cargo Ship Launched to Space Station". ESA. 6 June 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
- ^ a b "Europe's largest spaceship reaches its orbital port". ESA. 15 June 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
- ^ "Fact Sheet – ATV Albert Einstein" (PDF). ESA. 18 April 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
- ^ "European Cargo Ship Launches to Station, Science for Station Crew". NASA. 5 June 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
- ^ "'Albert Einstein' in Space: Europe Launches Cargo Spacecraft Named for Scientist". Space.com. 5 June 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
- ^ "Resupply Craft Undocks, New Supply Vehicle Due June 15". NASA. 11 June 2013. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
- ^ "“Albert Einstein” Delivers Gear to Expedition 36 Crew". NASA. 15 June 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
- ^ "Multi-Program Integrated Milestones" (PDF). NASA. 25 January 2008. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
- ^ "European Cargo Ship Begins Maiden Space Voyage". Space.com. 9 March 2008. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
- ^ "Europe's second cargo freighter to fly in December". Spaceflight Now. 17 September 2010. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
- ^ "One-day delay of final shuttle launch makes room for ATV". Spaceflight Now. 1 October 2010. Retrieved 2 October 2010.
- ^ "Third ATV named after Edoardo Amaldi". ESA. 17 March 2010. Retrieved 17 March 2010.
- ^ "Europe's third cargo vehicle docks with the Space Station". ESA – ATV. 29 March 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
- ^ "Deorbit burns set for Tuesday night/Wednesday morning". ESA ATV blog. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
- ^ a b "Mission accomplished for ATV Edoardo Amaldi". Space-Travel.com. 4 October 2012. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
- ^ "ATV-4 scheduled for summer liftoff". ESA. 11 April 2013. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
- ^ "Mission brochure – ATV Albert Einstein". ESA. 14 April 2013. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
- ^ "Europe's largest spaceship reaches its orbital port". ESA. 15 June 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
External links[edit]
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