The other study would look at new low-Earth orbit applications for an ATV-derived vehicle.

BBC: Europe ponders future of ATV space truck

The ATV - the biggest, most sophisticated spacecraft yet flown by the European Space Agency - passed just 30km under the ISS as it moved to the parking position.

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ATV-sized "Black Max" that actually douses the situation.

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Jules Verne - its generic name is Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) - delivered just under five tonnes of supplies to the platform on its maiden voyage.

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The ATV has two major divisions - a pressurised payload unit, and an avionics and propulsion unit.

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They took an ATV ride to a zip-line course through the jungle, made more exciting by an unexpected encounter.

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The ATV is also used to drive the 400-tonne orbital complex higher into the sky to stop it falling back to Earth.

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Given that Orion is a manned capsule, these systems would no doubt need to be taken to a new standard of assurance and adapted for deep-space operation, but the proposition seems very well suited to ATV's capabilities.

BBC: Europe ponders future of ATV space truck