Loading the propellants for ATV Edoardo Amaldi. Since the propellants are hazardous, the operations are performed in ‘Scape’ suits. In case of a propellant leak, the operators are protected by the suit. Credits: ESA/CNES/Arianespace/Optique Video du CSG-S. Martin

(PhysOrg.com) — Fuel, water, oxygen, air and most of the dry cargo have been loaded into ESA's third Automated Transfer Vehicle, Edoardo Amaldi, as the 9 March liftoff approaches.

Since arrival at Europe's  in Kourou, French Guiana, last August, the space ferry has been undergoing intensive preparations to fly to the next month.

The vessel's mission is set to start with  at 10:00 GMT (11:00 CET) on 9 March on a powerful  ES . It will dock automatically with the Station at 01:38 GMT (02:38 CET) on 19 March, remaining attached until the end of August.

Launch preparations began as soon as the 10-tonne ferry's two main sections – the cargo carrier and the spacecraft itself – arrived in French Guiana by ship late in August.  

Starting to look like a real spacecraft

"By end-August, we had moved both halves into their respective cleanrooms here and started checking that everything was OK after the sea journey," says ESA's Charlotte Beskow, ATV deputy launch campaign manager.

More of the story, click image