Jules Verne

ATV Background

Very soon, Jules Verne will be headed to the International Space Station (ISS). No, it is not the famous author of “Around The World In 80 Days,” “20,000 Leagues Under The Sea,” “Journey To The Center Of The Earth,” and “From The Earth To The Moon.” This space-faring Jules Verne will be the name of the first spacecraft in a new fleet of cargo vehicles. The spacecraft is an Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), which is being created by the European Space Agency (ESA). ESA is one of the agencies involved in the ISS partnership, and this ATV is just one of its contributions to the Space Station project.

Plans are for eight or nine nonreusable ATVs to carry supplies to the Space Station, much as the Russian Progress spacecraft does. ESA considers the ATV to be the most complex space vehicle ever developed in Europe. It will also be the first completely new free-flying spacecraft created to support the ISS. The cylindrical ATVs will be about the size of a bus. They will weigh about 20 tons each, and will be able to carry about 7.5 tons of equipment, fuel, food, air, and water to the Space Station. The ATVs will be carried to launch in a shroud atop a French Ariane-5 rocket. It will then function as an automated spacecraft upon being released in orbit. In addition to the cylindrical main body, the design features four solar panels that deploy in an X configuration when the craft leaves the shroud.

Controllers on the ground will direct the spacecraft after it reaches orbit. However, once the ATV nears the Station, it will rely on its automated navigation systems for the final approach to the ISS. It will then use onboard sensors to perform extremely precise dockings with the Station. In addition to carrying supplies, the ATV can be used to boost the Space Station into a higher orbit. After docking, the ATV can remain attached to the ISS for up to 6 months, serving as additional storage room. After that time, the nonreusable ATV will be loaded with waste and re-enter Earth’s atmosphere, burning up over the Pacific Ocean. The ATVs will be managed from their own “mission control” center in France.

You can now make our very own Jules Verne ATV. With the use of many household products and the templates provided on this Web site, you can build a 1:100 scale model of it. Follow the instructions carefully and watch the spacecraft come together right before your eyes. You can even build a stand to display it.

BUILDING YOUR OWN JULES VERNE ATV