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  Sweet Edoardo Amaldi ATV retrorocket actionApr 11, 2012 5:58 AM PDT | url
 
Added 1 new A* page:NASA posted a pretty stellar image of the Edoardo Amaldi ATV (aka "ATV-3") firing its retro-rockets during its automated docking sequence with the International Space Station on March 28th. I discussed these Automated Transfer Vehicles in detail back in August, but essentially they are robotic modules launched into orbit on a rocket; they dock themselves to the ISS, the crew collects the supplies carried inside, then the ATV sits there for months while the crew gradually fills it up with trash, at which point it is released to burn up in the atmosphere. The Edoardo is the third one, named after an Italian physicist of many achievements--he co-founded CERN, for instance. Of the module, Wikipedia says "At the time of its launch, it was the world's largest single operational spacecraft, with a total mass of over 20 tonnes (44,000 lb)." Gear! Anyhoo here's that photo:
 
Image
image by NASA (source)
 
 
 
 
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