Written by Derek Kessler on
Tuesday, 11 March 2008
Right at the start of its four-week shake down cruise to the International Space Station, the Jules Verne Automated Transfer Vehicle has come across a glitch in its propulsion system. Despite the successful launch this weekend, the ATV's onboard computer detected the failure of an electronics unit that controls a quarter of the cargo ship's thrusters, in addition to a discrepancy in the mixing pressure of the monomethylhydrazine fuel and the N2O4 oxidizer. ESA engineers are currently studying the problems, while the rest of the craft, including the solar arrays, GPS, and star-tracking navigation systems, are working correctly. Until the evaluation of Jules Verne is completed, no engine burns will be performed and the ATV will stay away from the ISS.
Right at the start of its four-week shake down cruise to the International Space Station, the Jules Verne Automated Transfer Vehicle has come across a glitch in its propulsion system. Despite the successful launch this weekend, the ATV's onboard computer detected the failure of an electronics unit that controls a quarter of the cargo ship's thrusters, in addition to a discrepancy in the mixing pressure of the monomethylhydrazine fuel and the N2O4 oxidizer. ESA engineers are currently studying the problems, while the rest of the craft, including the solar arrays, GPS, and star-tracking navigation systems, are working correctly. Until the evaluation of Jules Verne is completed, no engine burns will be performed and the ATV will stay away from the ISS.
