FRENCH GUIANA 22 February 2008 New Ariane V blasts off for International Space Station carrying ESA's Jules Verne -- Automated Transfer Vehicle 

In July, after several delays, the ESA's Jules Verne -- Automated Transfer Vehicle -- cargo ship was despatched for the European spaceport in French Guiana. It now looks likely that the biggest, most complex spacecraft ever built in Europe will launch in February on a new Ariane V-ES launcher with up to 7.5 tonnes of supplies for the International Space Station.

The Jules Verne is the first of at least five ATVs that will fly to the ISS over the coming years. Its advanced systems will be incorporated into other missions, possibly even a new manned capsule that could take astronauts to the Moon.

The ship incorporates sophisticated automated rendezvous and docking systems. Once launched on an Ariane 5 rocket, the craft can find its own way to the ISS, to deliver air, water, fuel, scientific equipment, food, clothing and personal items to the platform.

It will also reboost the station, which has a tendency to drift back to Earth over time.

It will dock with the Station's Zvezda Service Module. UPDATED 12/07