Jules Verne nears the end of its mission

PARIS, Sept. 2 (UPI) -- The European Space Agency says it's preparing for its Jules Verne spacecraft's undocking from the International Space Station and its subsequent destruction.

The undocking of the ESA's first resupply automated transfer vehicle is to occur at 4:30 p.m. EDT Friday when the ATV Control Center commands the opening of hooks that hold the spacecraft to the ISS, ending a five-month mission to deliver cargo, propellant, water, oxygen and propulsion capacity to the space station.

Since its launch March 9, the Jules Verne achieved each scheduled objective, the ESA said. In addition to the items needed by the station, the spacecraft also carried into space two original manuscripts handwritten by Jules Verne and a 19th-century illustrated edition of his novel "From the Earth to the Moon".

When it undocks, the spacecraft will be filled with nearly 2,000 pounds of waste and excess equipment from the ISS. Then, on Sept. 29, the ATV's main engines will use their remaining fuel to de-orbit the 13 1/2-ton spacecraft into a controlled destructive re-entry above an uninhabited area of the Pacific Ocean.