The lights are back on in ATV-CC!!! The ‘lights’ of the displays on the flight control console workstations, that is…

ESA/CNES mission controllers on console in ATV-CC 22 March Credit: CNES

ESA/CNES mission controllers on console in ATV-CC 22 March 2012 Credit: CNES

After several months of darkness, the lights are back on at ATV-CC. This week the mission operations and engineering support teams are performing a major simulation in the ATV-4 preparation campaign.

Starting this morning, we will simulate a complete launch, orbital phasing (catching up to the ISS), rendezvous and docking, all done in real missions time. This means engineers and mission managers will work shifts 24 hours per day, and – contrary to real life (we hope) –  there will be plenty of failures to keep us busy…

The general feeling is one of happy expectation. We know one thing for certain: it will not be a boring week.

– Charlotte

ESA's ATV-4 Engineering Support Team (EST) during first full sim for launch 4 February 2013. Credit: ESA/C. Beskow

ESA’s ATV-4 Engineering Support Team (EST) during first full sim for launch 4 February 2013. Credit: ESA/C. Beskow

Since ATV-3, the ‘lights’ on the console work stations have been off, apart from maintenance and the odd simulation/test; but this week they will be on 24h/day and all the screens will be active.