ATV Control Centre: We are ready for launch

Last joint simulation at ATV-CC for ATV-3 launch. © CNES/Frédéric Maligne, 2012

Last week, the ESA/CNES mission operations team conducted a joint simulation with NASA and Roscosmos. Kris Capelle, Head of the ATV Operations Section and Mission Director, said: “Everybody was happy with the result, including our American and Russian partners.”

The joint simulation was a so-called ‘nominal’ simulation, whereby no problems were programmed into the scenario. The simulation went smoothly: “We are convinced we are ready for launch” said Kris.

This ‘dress rehearsal’ was the last simulation with the International Space Stations partners before launch. ATV Control Centre will conduct two more internal simulations before the team can put its skills to work in real life with ATV Edoardi Amaldi.