André Kuipers in ATV-3. Credits: NASA

We're approximately half-way through the ATV-3 mission, so it's a good time to provide an update on what's been happening with Edoardo Amaldi, and what's planned in the next few months.

Overall results? Here's a quote from a recent email report to the ATV community sent by ESA's Mission Manager Massimo Cislaghi:

"ATV Edoardo Amaldi is fulfilling its mission in  an excellent manner -- and is completing all tasks inherent to its mission to the ISS."

Now, let's look at the numbers. As of 20 June, ATV has performed the following ISS servicing activities:

• All 2200 kg of dry cargo have been transferred to the ISS (and ~592 kg of trash have been loaded)
• 1 tank of air (~ 33 kg) has been emptied into the ISS atmosphere (the two other gas tanks containing O2 are waiting for the same operation)
• Slightly more that the half of the potable water (~154 litres) has been transferred to the Russian ISS segment tanks
• ATV has performed five ISS orbit reboosts and one ISS attitude control manoeuvre (to facilitate a Soyuz docking in mid-May), burning ~1450 kg of propellant
• ISS refuelling operations performed on 19 June have allowed to transfer more than 800 kg of propellant inside the FGB "Zarya" tanks

(For details on bringing the ATV power chain back into full operation, scroll to bottom of this post.)

Massimo ended his note with: "Thanks to all of you for the contribution given to the ATV programme in general and Edoardo Amaldi in particular!"

Now, let's take a look at recent activity (click on 'Continue Reading' for full post). (more...)