Europe's new space truck takes shape
"It's clear from space history that often it was not the prototype that experienced the problems; it was the mission that came later. That's why specific attention has to be paid to what we do now." Nico Dettmann is in charge of producing the European Space Agency's (Esa) next space freighter. He knows the near-flawless maiden voyage of the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) last year does not mean the second flight is guaranteed to turn out the same way. Attention to detail is everything. The follow-up ship - dubbed Johannes Kepler - is slowly being assembled. Its propulsion and avionics units are being prepared in Bremen, Germany. Its pressurised module which will hold the cargo - air, water, scientific equipment, food, and clothing - to be taken to the space station is being built in Turin, Italy. The various segments should come together in September, into a single line of assembly that will lead to a launch in November 2010. Thereafter, ATVs will fly every year for three years.
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