<p>Backdropped by the blackness of space and the airglow of Earth's horizon, the European Space Agency's Automated Transfer Vehicle - 1 (ATV-1) Jules Verne, approaches the International Space Station on Monday, March 31, 2008, for its "Demo Day 2" practice maneuvers. It moved to within 36 feet of the Zvezda Service Module in a rehearsal for docking.  Jules Verne was launched on March 8 (eastern time) from the Kourou Space Center on an Ariane V launch vehicle.  After "Demo Day" tests of the automated navigation and collision avoidance systems of this first ATV, Jules Verne docked with the ISS on April 3, 2008. 
</p><p>Image #: ISS016-E-034183
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Date: March 31, 2008
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2008-03-31 00:00
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasacommons/25524892462/">ATV-1 Jules Verne approaches ISS</a>