There is a big fuss about the first ever automated docking in space that has just occurred. See BBC News
But in science fiction it happens all the time. Even on Futurama it is a piece of cake! I think the space lot (ESA/NASA/CCCP) have got a lot of catchimg up to do if they want to keep their viewing figures up. Automated docking does not sound too difficult. I'd be more worried about a manual docking.
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Robot space truck docks with ISS
Big deal, a manual docking would be cooler
It sounds pretty cool to me. From Ian's Beeb link:
Read more on ESA's web site. According to that page, the payload includes not just boring stuff like fuel and supplies, but also some reading matter:
Now that's science fiction for you.
QUOTE
But Jules Verne's significance goes well beyond mere cargo duties.
The automated systems that allow it to track down an object (the ISS) moving at 27,000km/h, and attach itself with an accuracy of 2cm, are beyond what other space-faring nations have at the moment - including the Russians and the US.
. . .
The space truck's technologies are expected to find applications in many more missions that require automatic rendezvous and docking.
These would include ventures that take humans back to the Moon or on to Mars.
Any attempt to retrieve rocks from the Red Planet for study in Earth labs would also need the sorts of sensors the ATV employs to join spacecraft together without manual assistance.
. . .
At Esa HQ in Paris, however, space officials have even grander plans.
They believe Jules Verne's technologies could eventually be incorporated into an independent European manned spaceship - perhaps one that looked similar to the Orion concept now being built by the Americans to replace the shuttle.
The automated systems that allow it to track down an object (the ISS) moving at 27,000km/h, and attach itself with an accuracy of 2cm, are beyond what other space-faring nations have at the moment - including the Russians and the US.
. . .
The space truck's technologies are expected to find applications in many more missions that require automatic rendezvous and docking.
These would include ventures that take humans back to the Moon or on to Mars.
Any attempt to retrieve rocks from the Red Planet for study in Earth labs would also need the sorts of sensors the ATV employs to join spacecraft together without manual assistance.
. . .
At Esa HQ in Paris, however, space officials have even grander plans.
They believe Jules Verne's technologies could eventually be incorporated into an independent European manned spaceship - perhaps one that looked similar to the Orion concept now being built by the Americans to replace the shuttle.
Read more on ESA's web site. According to that page, the payload includes not just boring stuff like fuel and supplies, but also some reading matter:
QUOTE
two original manuscripts handwritten by Jules Verne and a XIXth century illustrated edition of his novel “From the Earth to the Moon�.
Now that's science fiction for you.
QUOTE (ian @ Apr 3 2008, 11:23 pm) 
There is a big fuss about the first ever automated docking in space that has just occurred.
No, automated dockings have been done many times before. Alan Thirkettle's words were chosen to make the feat sound much more unique than it is (typical ESA). The other craft that have done it have manual and automatic docking capability, whereas the ATV is automatic only - so yes, it is the only automatic-only craft to have done so.
QUOTE (ian @ Apr 3 2008, 11:23 pm)
Automated docking does not sound too difficult. I'd be more worried about a manual docking.
It's very difficult. Manual docking are easier (which is why they're generally preferred by both the US and Russia).
BTW, yours truly designed the ISS guidance, navigation, & control plan for the ATV docking.
Curiously, the ESA web page (link in my previous post) says:
"in Europe"? Was the ISS sailing through European territorial waters at the time?
QUOTE
This is the very first time in Europe that an automated docking is performed
"in Europe"? Was the ISS sailing through European territorial waters at the time?
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