• Watch NASA TV
The Jules Verne approaches the station

Image above: The Jules Verne Automated Transfer Vehicle approaches the International Space Station. Credit: NASA TV

The Jules Verne Automated Transfer Vehicle approached the International Space Station on Monday for its 'Demo Day 2' practice maneuvers. It moved to within 36 feet of the Zvezda Service Module in a rehearsal for docking on Thursday.

The Jules Verne reached its closest point to the station at 12:38 p.m. EDT, at which time it was commanded by the crew to retreat to a point 62 feet away. From there it executed an "escape" command to depart the station for its three-day phasing prior to final approach and docking around 10:41 a.m. Thursday.

During its first approach Saturday, the ATV fired its engines several times to bring it approximately two miles from the station. Once in position, the Jules Verne conducted thruster firings and other systems tests before it pulled back into a phasing orbit.