Submission + - First Fully Automated Spacecraft to Dock with ISS (popularmechanics.com)
longacre writes: "The first of seven planned fully autonomous resupply spacecraft will rendezvous with the International Space Station on Thursday. Unmanned Russian Progress modules have been running supplies up to the International Space Station for years, but the European Space Agency's new Jules Verne will be the first to dock with the ISS controlled only by navigation software and instruments. Launched on March 9th, Verne is the first vehicle built as part of ESA's Automated Transfer Vehicle program, which was initiated following NASA's decision to retire the Space Shuttle in 2010."