The no. 2 Automated Transfer Vehicle begins its checkout

The second Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) for launch by Ariane 5 is now undergoing its final assembly and checkout in French Guiana. Named after German astronomer and mathematician Johannes Kepler, this ATV will service the International Space Station as a follow-up to the no. 1 ATV Jules Verne – which was orbited by Arianespace in March 2008.