Jules Verne readied for its maiden launch

KOUROU, French Guiana, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- The European Space Agency said its first human-rated spacecraft is being readied for a February launch to re-supply the International Space Station.

The ESA said the pressurized module of the Jules Verne -- the most complex automated spacecraft ever developed in Europe -- has been inspected and closed at the European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

"In order to eliminate any risk of disease or contamination for the astronauts on board the ISS, we have disinfected all the surfaces inside the pressurized module with pure hydrogen peroxide," said Patrice Amadieu, the ESA's deputy project manager.

Last week, the spacecraft's tanks were filled with about 71 gallons of drinking water for the ISS astronauts. The water from the Turin, Italy, municipal water supply will eventually be transferred to the space station's Russian service module, where the Jules Verne will be docked for up to four months.

"The fact that, for the first time, drinking water will be carried into orbit by a European cargo spaceship for the ISS crew brings a great sense of satisfaction", said Pierre Rebeyre, the ESA's manager of life support system development.