Automated Transfer Vehicle: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

The Automated Transfer Vehicle or ATV is designed to supply the International Space Station with water, air, payload experiments and the like. In addition, the ATV can re-boost the station, restoring its orbit. It is an unmanned spacecraft launched with an Ariane 5.

The ATV is designed at least partially as a replacement for the Progress spacecraft, though with three times its capacity. Like the Progress it carries both bulk liquids and relatively fragile freight which is stored in a cargo hold kept in a pressurized shirtsleeve environment so that astronauts can have access to it without putting on a suit. Again like the Progress the ATV will be serving at the same time as a container for the station's waste. The first ATV, whose construction is now complete, will be launched in 2004, it is called the Jules Verne, in memory of the first science fiction writer of modern times. Contracts and accords have been signed for eight ATVs, which should be launched about once every year. Each ATV weighs 20 metric tonnes and has a cargo capacity of 9 metric tonnes.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA is currently working on a similar but simpler vehicle, the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) to resupply the Kibo Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) on the ISS, as well as the rest of the station if need be.