Edoardo Amaldi Atv 3 Launch To Iss Delayed

A routine inspection has concluded that additional measures are required to ensure the maximum readiness of the THIRD AUTOMATED TRANSFER VEHICLE EDOARDO AMALDI for launch. It has therefore been decided to postpone the launch previously scheduled for 9 March 2012. A new launch date will be announced AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, SAYS THE ESA. The launch of Europe's third Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV-3) is part of the internationally coordinated servicing effort to support the International Space Station.

MSNBC and SPACEFLIGHT NOW reported the delay due to minor cargo packing issues. ESA officials expect to make a new launch day, anticipated to be near March 23, 2012. Astrium is the industrial prime contractor, leading a team of more than 30 contractors in 10 European countries. The ATV Control Centre is located in Toulouse, France, on the premises of the French Space Agency, CNES.

The ATV-3 / Ariane 5's hiccup is not the only launch delay impacting ISS operations. Also this week it has emerged that ESA astronaut Andr'e Kuipers will stay on the Station for more than a month longer than originally planned owing to a DELAY IN THE LAUNCH OF THE NEXT SOYUZ CREW FERRY. The new date for Kuipers and his crewmates to return to Earth is 1 July 2012 - by which time he will have been on the Station for over six months. The Soyuz will leave the Station operating with only three crewmembers for a longer period than originally planned.

The Russians are planning to launch the SOYUZ-U WITH PROGRESS 47 on a cargo-resupply mission in April, 2012 behind the European ATV-3 cargo vehicle to the International Space Station. During late April 2012, the Space X Falcon 9 designated C-1 demonstration mission should also get underway, following a SUCCESSFUL WET DRESS REHEARSAL on March 1, 2012. IF the European ATV-3, Progress 47, and Dragon C-1 each are SUCCESSFUL AND ON SCHEDULE, three cargo spacecraft will dock with the space station in a short time span.

Credit: fromatlantistosphinx.blogspot.com

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