Johannes Kepler freighter approaches space station

Gerald · 02-24-11, 10:39 AM

Europe's sophisticated space freighter, Johannes Kepler, is set to dock with the International Space Station (ISS).

The unmanned robotic truck is delivering new supplies of fuel, food, air, and equipment to the orbiting platform's astronauts.

Kepler is totally automatic - it will use its own computerised systems to make the attachment.

Ground controllers and the station's astronauts will not intervene unless there is a problem.

Contact with the Zvezda module on the rear of the ISS is timed for about 1549 GMT.

A successful docking will clear the way for the American space shuttle Discovery to lift off from Earth.

It, too, has a date with the ISS, and will carry up six visiting astronauts and a smart humanoid robot.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12554470

Note: 24 February 2011 Last updated at 15:00 GMT

krashkart · 02-24-11, 10:43 AM

I've been hankering to fire up Orbiter again... now I just might have another reason to do so.

Sailor Steve · 02-24-11, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vendor

Kepler is totally automatic - it will use its own computerised systems to make the attachment.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the first fully automated passenger flight. State-of-the-art multiple-redundant computer systems guarantee that this modern aircraft is safer than any flown by human pilots. We are confident in our assertion that nothing can go wrong...can go wrong...can go wrong...can go wrong..."

AVGWarhawk · 02-24-11, 11:45 AM

This is very interesting. I did not know there was such a freighter. To me it is really science fiction.

TLAM Strike · 02-24-11, 11:58 AM

Another damn robot freighter!

Another manned space freighter crew unemployed...

... and what if they turn to crime?

Quote:

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

This is very interesting. I did not know there was such a freighter. To me it is really science fiction.

The Russians have been flying automated freighters since 1978.

frau kaleun · 02-24-11, 12:00 PM

I see nobody's asking the important questions, namely, what's the tonnage on that baby and how much renown do I get for taking her out?

TLAM Strike · 02-24-11, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frau kaleun

I see nobody's asking the important questions, namely, what's the tonnage on that baby and how much renown do I get for taking her out?

She weighs in at only 7 tons... hardly worth a torpedo.

frau kaleun · 02-24-11, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

She weighs in at only 7 tons... hardly worth a torpedo.

Deck gun FTW!

AVGWarhawk · 02-24-11, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

The Russians have been flying automated freighters since 1978.

This I knew. I did not know the UK also had automated craft. Still all science fiction to me.

razark · 02-24-11, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

Still all science fiction to me.

Exactly. It's all science fiction. All done on sound stages and miniatures.

Sailor Steve · 02-24-11, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

Another damn robot freighter!

Another manned space freighter crew unemployed...

... and what if they turn to crime?.

I think you're a little late on that one.

"Honey, we're crooks. If things were fair we'd be in jail."

Schroeder · 02-24-11, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

This I knew. I did not know the UK also had automated craft. Still all science fiction to me.

And there is even something more that seems to be SiFi to you: It's European, not just British.

Oberon · 02-24-11, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schroeder

And there is even something more that seems to be SiFi to you: It's European, not just British.

If it works, it's British, if it doesn't, it's European

The Russians didn't just send up automated freighters, they sent up an automated shuttle just before the wall came down, the Buran went up, orbitted and came back down all without a crew. It survived the rigours of space and re-entry...then the hangar it was housed in collapsed and destroyed it...

In other shuttle news, Discovery goes up tonight 9:50 GMT.

Schroeder · 02-24-11, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oberon

If it works, it's British, if it doesn't, it's European

The Russians didn't just send up automated freighters, they sent up an automated shuttle just before the wall came down, the Buran went up, orbitted and came back down all without a crew. It survived the rigours of space and re-entry...then the hangar it was housed in collapsed and destroyed it...

In other shuttle news, Discovery goes up tonight 9:50 GMT.

Well, one of the prototypes is in the technology museum in Spyer here in Germany.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OK-GLI

Oberon · 02-24-11, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schroeder

Well, one of the prototypes is in the technology museum in Spyer here in Germany.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OK-GLI

Yes, thank god, and your ceilings are somewhat better than the ones in Kazakhstan!

02-24-11, 10:39 AM	#1
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Johannes Kepler freighter approaches space station Europe's sophisticated space freighter, Johannes Kepler, is set to dock with the International Space Station (ISS). The unmanned robotic truck is delivering new supplies of fuel, food, air, and equipment to the orbiting platform's astronauts. Kepler is totally automatic - it will use its own computerised systems to make the attachment. Ground controllers and the station's astronauts will not intervene unless there is a problem. Contact with the Zvezda module on the rear of the ISS is timed for about 1549 GMT. A successful docking will clear the way for the American space shuttle Discovery to lift off from Earth. It, too, has a date with the ISS, and will carry up six visiting astronauts and a smart humanoid robot. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12554470 Note: 24 February 2011 Last updated at 15:00 GMT __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

02-24-11, 10:43 AM	#2
krashkart Navy Seal Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 5,292 Downloads: 100 Uploads: 0	I've been hankering to fire up Orbiter again... now I just might have another reason to do so. __________________ sent from my fingertips using a cheap keyboard

02-24-11, 11:45 AM	#4
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,253 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	This is very interesting. I did not know there was such a freighter. To me it is really science fiction. __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road

02-24-11, 12:00 PM	#6
frau kaleun Rear Admiral Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Skyri--oh who are we kidding, I'm probably at Lowe's. Again. Posts: 12,706 Downloads: 168 Uploads: 0	I see nobody's asking the important questions, namely, what's the tonnage on that baby and how much renown do I get for taking her out?