The European State Agency (ESA) announced the successful completion of its seven-year venture with the International Space Station (ISS) on Sunday. The mission came to an end as the Agency destroyed the final ship. The initiative was taken up in 1987 by the ESA as a contribution to the ISS, under the project name “Automated Transfer Vehicle.” The project had gained final approval in 1995.
The European “Space Truck” that was destroyed on Sunday was the last of five automated delivery vehicles that the ESA had designed for the ISS. It was the most complex vehicle that was ever developed in the country. Since 2008, the Agency had already launched five of its vehicles that aimed at supplying 70 pounds of supplies and instruments to the ISS. The vehicles were also engaged in boosting the station at times. They also helped clear away debris on several occasions.
The last vehicle, the George Lemaitre, burned itself up as it entered into the Earth’s atmosphere yesterday. It was a spacecraft 32 feet in length and weighing around 20 tons. The vehicle deployed four primary and 28 secondary maneuvering thrusters. The spacecraft was powered by solar panels and carried water and oxygen tanks, in addition to the cargo hold.
The ESA’s fifth vehicle was the heaviest Airane 5 to be ever launched. It had taken off on July 29, last year. The Agency commented that the spacecraft exhibited the European mastery in automated docking. The technology is significantly important for space exploration.
To ensure a safe disposal, the craft was loaded with waste material before it was undocked to fly in a safe descent trajectory. The spacecraft the burned up as it hovered over an uninhabited region of the Pacific Ocean.
As the project came to an end, it was signed off with emotional messages from the ESA and ISS on Twitter.