Jules Verne ATV ready to dock at ISS

On March 9, 2008, from Europe's spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, the Jules Verne ATV was launched into circular orbit at 51.6 degrees relative to the equator. The purpose of the launch was to prove that the ATV could safely dock with the International Space Station (ISS). The other main objective is to demonstrate that the ATV can perform an escape maneuver commanded by the ISS crew when the ATV is just 12 meters away from the station. After several days spent in a parking orbit 2000 km away from the ISS, the Jules Verne ATV is ready to dock, and the first docking attempt can be followed live on April 3rd.