Night time video of ATV undocking from Space Station

[finneyb]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztXdurB ... e=youtu.be 1.22 mins

ATV - Automated Transfer Vehicle - is an unmanned supply vessel used to support the ISS - International Space Station. This was a night time depart from the ISS on 14 February, orbiting 200 miles above Earth, you can see the earth below and the thrusters firing on the ATV and occasionally on ISS. The ATV burns up on re-entry and has done so over the Pacific Ocean. This ATV had cameras on board to film the burn-up and transmit the images to any satellite within line of sight for onward transmission to Earth. That video is not available as yet.

ATVs are a ESA - European Space Agency - project that docks with ISS autonomously ie without human intervention. ISS orbits at a velocity of 17,000 mph; 200 miles above us and the ATV docks autonomously !! Now that is impressive.

Brian

 

[doorframe]

I watched the Horizon documentaries on the space shuttles last week. They were used (amongst other things) for sending supplies to the space stations. They were also used for getting the spacemen up there, and back to earth again. Now that the shuttles have retired, how do they get the spacemen up there and back again? (I haven't googled)

 

[finneyb]

I watched the Horizon documentaries on the space shuttles last week. They were used (amongst other things) for sending supplies to the space stations. They were also used for getting the spacemen up there, and back to earth again. Now that the shuttles have retired, how do they get the spacemen up there and back again? (I haven't googled)

The Russians to do it for all nationalities. NASA is working with the US private sector to develop a manned rocket but its not there yet.

Brian