An update from ATV-CC’s Marcus de Deus Silva: ATV-5’s Refuelling System RECS (Russian Equipment Control System) checkout took place yesterday and was completely successful. This operation was the first part of the ATV refuelling sequence that transfers fuel and oxidiser from ATV to the International Space Station. The checkout operation involved ATV Control Centre (ATV-CC) in Toulouse  sending commands to turn on the docking and refuelling system electronics on ATV. Once engineers in ATV-CC checked that the system was healthy, the Russian segment of the Space Station sent commands to ATV to activate its Refuelling Mode.

Further checks of telemetry were made to confirm that the ATV refuelling system is ready for the next step which is the refuelling system leak-check, that will take place Thursday 18 September.