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

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