Editing Automated Transfer Vehicle (section)

== Use and operation==
[[File:ISS after STS-124 06 2008.jpg|thumb|''Jules Verne'' seen at the bottom of the ISS making the relative size clearly visible]]
ATVs were intended to be routinely launched every 17 months to conduct resupply missions to the International Space Station.<ref name=2008missionConcept>{{cite web |title=Mission concept and the role of ATV |url=http://www.esa.int/esaMI/ATV/SEMOP432VBF_0.html |publisher=ESA |date=3 March 2008 | access-date=24 March 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080312232720/http://www.esa.int/esaMI/ATV/SEMOP432VBF_0.html| archive-date= 12 March 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> The vehicle was launched into an orbital plane compatible with the ISS via the [[Ariane 5]] [[expendable launch system]]; shortly after detaching from the launcher, the ATV would deploy its solar panels.<ref name = "1998 deliv"/> Over an average mission time of 100 hours, it would perform phasing manoeuvers from its initial orbital high point under direct control from the ground-based [[European Space Operations Centre]] at [[Darmstadt]], [[Germany]], using NASA's [[Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System]]. A second series of manoeuvres would bring the ATV to the precise altitude of the ISS before commencing integrated operations for the final approach with the Space Station, during which mission authority transferred to NASA's [[Christopher C. Kraft Jr. Mission Control Center]] in [[Houston]], [[Texas]].<ref name = "1998 deliv"/>

The ATV would employ a combination of [[GPS]] and [[celestial navigation|astronavigation]] techniques to automatically rendezvous with the Space Station.<ref name = "1998 deliv"/> [[Telemetry]] contact was established between the ISS and ATV during its preparations for the final approach. Once at a distance of 249 m, the onboard computers of the ATV employed both videometer and telegoniometer data to perform the final approach and docking manoeuvres; the docking itself to the ''[[Zvezda (ISS module)|Zvezda]]'' module, was fully automated. In the event of any last-minute technical issues or problems, a pre-programmed sequence of anti-collision manoeuvres, fully independent of the main navigation system, can be activated by the [[Astronautics|flight engineers]] aboard the station. Upon contact with the module, the automatic capture sequence would be activated.<ref name = "1998 deliv"/>

Once the ATV had successfully docked, the station crew would be able to enter the vehicle's cargo section and directly access the payload on board.<ref name = "1998 deliv"/> The ATV's liquid tanks would be connected to the station's plumbing by the crew to discharge their contents in a controlled manner, while the station crew would manually release air components directly into the ISS's atmosphere. For up to six months, the ATV, which would remain mainly in dormant mode, could remain attached to the ISS with the hatch remaining open throughout.<ref name = "1998 deliv"/> The crew would then steadily fill the cargo section with the station's waste material for disposal. At intervals of 10 to 45 days, the ATV would be reactivated and its thrusters would typically be used to boost the station's altitude.<ref name = "1998 deliv"/>

Once its mission was accomplished, the ATV, which would often be filled with up to 6.5 tonnes of waste, would separate from the ISS. Its thrusters would deliberately move the spacecraft out of orbit (de-orbit) and place it on a steep flight path to perform a controlled destructive [[re-entry]] high above the [[Pacific Ocean]].<ref name = "atv biway"/>

<gallery mode="packed">
File:ATV-2 launch from ISS.jpg|''Johannes Kepler'' Automated Transfer Vehicle's launch as seen from the ISS
File:Iss016e034176.jpg|''Jules Verne'' Automated Transfer Vehicle approaches the International Space Station
File:Crew in ATV with Jules Verne manuscript.jpg|ATV interior with [[Expedition 17]] crewmembers
File:Jules Verne Automated Transfer Vehicle re-enters Earth's atmosphere.jpg|''Jules Verne'' as it re-enters Earth's atmosphere in a controlled burn-up after undocking from ISS
</gallery>