ESA Shooting To Launch Jules Verne ATV Mid-Nov.

European Space Agency (ESA) managers are working toward a mid-November launch date for the first flight of the new Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) to the International Space Station (ISS), following a meeting between ESA Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain and NASA Administrator Mike Griffin late last month.

The ATV "Jules Verne" mission is contingent on NASA's space shuttle resuming ISS assembly with the STS-117 mission in June, as well as completion of tests on the 20-ton robotic cargo vehicle in time for it to be shipped to the European launch facility in French Guiana in July for launch on Arianespace's Ariane 5 rocket.

Let's hear it for Russianless unmanned resupply! HUZZAH!