Johannes Kepler is the first production unit of the Automated Transport Vehicle (ATV) series after the first ATV, Jules Verne, demonstrating ATV's capabilities in 2008.After the retirement of the US Space Shuttle, ATV will become the largest vehicle supplying the ISS. ATV is also the largest and heaviest payload ever launched by Europe.
ATV is Europe's key asset in the ISS logistics; this video explains the role of ATV for the ISS and its importance for the whole ISS partnership, from the perspective of the ESA's Human Spaceflight programme. It includes an interview with Simonetta Di Pippo, ESA's Director of Human Spaceflight.'
Reference: alienspress.blogspot.com
