Space truck ready for rehearsals

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Mission Guide: Jules Verne

Total cargo: 4,860kg

1,340kg - 'dry' supplies

20kg - air (oxygen/nitrogen)

280kg - drinking water

860kg - propellant for ISS

2,360kg - re-boost propellant

The ship itself has 3,490kg of propellant for rendezvous, re-boost and de-orbit manoeuvres

In graphics: Space Station

Fly an ATV mission

ATV quick guide

Ariane 5 launch

Europe's "Jules Verne" freighter is about to start practice docking manoeuvres at the space station.

The cargo truck will test its systems with two close approaches and retreats before finally linking up with the orbiting platform next Thursday.

The ship, which is carrying just under five tonnes of supplies for the station's astronauts, flies under the control of autonomous computers.

The vehicle's performance so far has been exemplary, say space officials.

"We've had the usual small anomalies; we're learning how to fly the bird - but nothing that has been really difficult," said John Ellwood from the European Space Agency (Esa).

See where the ATV is right now

Button pressing

Launched earlier this month, Jules Verne, also known as the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), was parked up in front of the International Space Station (ISS) during the recent shuttle visit.

But now that the Endeavour orbiter and its crew are on the ground, controllers have commanded the truck to come back over the platform for two demonstration days.

Jules Verne is designed to make its own way to the platform and complete an automated attachment. Humans will only interfere if something is seen to be going wrong.

But as a new ship, the ATV must prove itself; and the demos will allow for the checkout of all the vehicle's close-manoeuvring systems, including its advanced GPS technology and optical sensors.

The first practice session, on Saturday, will see the ATV move to a hold point just 3,500m (2 miles) behind and 100m (330ft) above the station.

The second, on Monday, will see Jules Verne edge to just 12m (40ft) from the back of the ISS; and, hopefully, aligned straight with the docking mechanism.

The second day will also give the station crew an opportunity to practise their safety interventions.

By pressing buttons on a special panel positioned in the ISS's Zvezda module, it is possible for the astronauts to command the ATV to stop in its tracks and even move away from the station.

Once these operations have been completed, ground controllers will assess the results, before giving the green light to Jules Verne to try a docking for real.

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Lotus Exige 270E Tri-Fuel concept pumps out 270 hp on methanol

www.youthsprouts.blogspot.com We posted about this latest Exige a couple of days ago and just saw it in Geneva. Not a lot different on the outside really besides the paint scheme that helps us remember that this is in fact a Tri-Fuel capable Exige 270E. Even the inside has the green and yellow stripe motif slathered liberally throughout the cockpit. The base Exige was already a great example of how a high performance car could still be environmentally friendly by keeping it light and fun. Now Lotus is showing off their ability to take that concept and turn it up to eleven. Or 270, rather. This Lotus Exige 270E Tri-Fuel concept pumps out 270 hp on methanol, and can also run on gasoline or ethanol. So not only is it the most powerful Exige ever sold by Lotus, but it's also the most ambi-fuelish too. Anyway, look at the pics and remember that it's fast and fun and feel-good all in one, so ignore the colors if they bother you. If you want to learn more about this technological marvel, the full press release is after the jump. Be warned however, the release is longer than the car. __

LoneStar, just super truck more than super cars

www.youthsprouts.blogspot.com We give International full credit this daring design that we spied uncovered earlier this year. Still, it appears as though it's taken a giant leap back three decades with the new Class 8 International LoneStar. International said its mission was to create a big rig that married aerodynamic efficiency with a unique look and a wide range of customization. Having asked truckers what they wanted, apparently customization means 'more cowbell lights and chrome.' As upright and retro Lite Brite as the design might be, it still gets gas mileage as good as the best aerodynamic semis on the market, according to International. Inside, the cabin evokes the kind of ergonomic class that could have been meant for the outside -- the sleeper has hardwood flooring for that at-home feeling. The truck comes with 42 factory options, 23 inside, 19 outside, and International itself said it wants to create the same kind of aftermarket following that MINI and Harley currently enjoy. If nothing else, the LoneStar is a rig more than worthy of Lone Starr. __

With a top speed of 408.47kph, Bugatti. 1/5 in Dubai

www.youthsprouts.blogspot.com You'd think that owning a car as expensive and exclusive as the Bugatti Veyron would ensure that seeing another one in your neighborhood would be an unlikely event. And it probably is for most of the 125 customers who've taken delivery of the hyper-exotic to date around the world. Except if you live in Dubai, where Bugatti has already sold no less than 15 of its million-dollar supercars, or 18.75% of Veyrons produced to date. With a population of about one and a half million in the oil-rich emirate – roughly the size of Phoenix, the fifth-largest city in the US – that means there's one Veyron for every 100,000 people. (By contrast, there are 27 Veyrons in the entire UK, population: 60 million). For those fifteen multi-millionaires, however, the flashy wheels might be the edge they need when you consider that there are a very un-Beach Boys-like three boys for every girl in Dubai. If you're in the market for a Bugatti Veyron, first we'd like implore you consider how wonderful it would be to have your daughter marry a blogger. Then we'd direct you to Innovation Cars, a UK-based luxury car broker that is currently listing no less than 11 Veyrons available from locations around the world (mostly in the Emirates, probably) in a variety of trims.

If you want to buy the world’s most expensive and fastest-accelerating supercar, then look no further than the Dh6 million Bugatti Veyron 16.4. But you’ll not be alone if you stump up all that cash – 15 Veyrons have already been delivered to buyers in Dubai. __

UPDATE: BMW North America notified of eBay winner's plight

www.youthsprouts.blogspot.com We apologize for yet another update on the saga of Ken Tanisaka and his efforts to wrench a fairly won BMW M3 sedan from the iron grip of BMW of Lincoln, Nebraska, but this story just keeps rolling on providing new and interesting twists by the hour. Ken came this close to receiving the Bimmer today after his lawyer negotiated away the conditions that were demanded by the dealership. The first was that he not sell the car for two years, and the second was that he somehow "control the press" and end the onslaught of communiques sent to the dealership by phone, fax, email and flaming bags of pooh. (We're kidding on that last one. No one send flaming bags of pooh to BMW of Lincoln. Seriously.) After the lawyers wrangled for a bit, Ken was instructed to call BMW of Lincoln today and arrange his deposit over the phone by a certain time, but according to our distressed interlocutor, was instead lectured by the General Manager, one Fil Cataniam, for failing to stop the press from contacting the dealership. He refused to take Ken's credit card info over the phone, in effect reneging on the resolution that had previously been reached by the lawyers. Ken's lawyer has now drafted a letter to BMW of North America (check it out after the jump) informing the big brand of what's been going on and simply asking for help. It must be noted that BMW NA likely does not have any jurisdiction here, as dealers usually operate on a very long leash from the mothership. Still, what has become a PR nightmare for this particular dealership could easily leave a bad taste in the mouth of many potential BMW customers. Perhaps it would behoove BMW proper to get this guy his M3 sedan prompto and slap the wrists of these knuckleheads in Lincoln, Nebraska. Adding yet another facet to this gem of a story is news from Ken that other BMW dealers have contacted him offering great deals on an M3! Man, there must not be much brotherhood among BMW dealers. Ken states that rather than getting a different M3 and letting this dealership off the hook, he'd like to see BMW of Lincoln live up to its obligation. __

Ferrari old vs new, check it out!

www.youthsprouts.blogspot.com Click above to view video It's always nice when money gets thrown at making epic videos of cars, and this one is so beautifully produced that it obviously cost a bundle. What could be more epic than a couple of Ferraris being treated like the rentals Rowdy and Cole duked it out with in Days Of Thunder? Okay, Ferrari and NASCAR, ne'er the twain shall meet, but what we do have here is a fantastically beautiful video of a Ferrari 599 showing the F40 what an old man it's become. Let's see, do we want to take the comfortable, easy-driving, fighter-jet fast GT, or would we prefer the raucous, painful, finicky throwback that's nearly as fast but is probably more exhilarating due simply to the cacophony behind your head? Either could be fun - follow the jump to see for yourself. Thanks for the tip, Johnny! __