ATV-3 and Ariane 5 Rocket Roll to the Launch Pad

The Ariane 5 and ATV-3 Edoardo Amaldi move from the final assembly building to the launch pad on March 21, 2012, in Kourou, French Guiana.

ATV Edoardo Amaldi ready for launch

Ariane 5 and ATV Edoardo Amaldi on the launch pad, on 21 March 2012, in Kourou, French Guiana.

ATV-3 Cargo Ship Launches on March 23, 2012

An Ariane 5 rocket launches the unmanned ATV-3 Edoardo Amaldi robotic cargo ship toward the International Space Station on March 23, 2012 in a successful liftoff from Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana.

ATV-3 Cargo Ship Lights Up Sky: March 23, 2012 Launch

An Ariane 5 rocket carrying the European Space Agency's ATV-3 cargo ship Edoardo Amaldi lights up the night just after a dazzling liftoff just after 12 a.m. EDT from Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana.

ATV-3 Cargo Ship Lights Up Sky in March 23, 2012 Launch

An Ariane 5 rocket carrying the European Space Agency's ATV-3 cargo ship Edoardo Amaldi lights up the night after a dazzling liftoff just after 12 a.m. EDT from Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana.

ATV-3 Cargo Ship Lights Up Sky: March 23, 2012 Launch

An Ariane 5 rocket carrying the European Space Agency's ATV-3 cargo ship Edoardo Amaldi lights up the night after a dazzling liftoff just after 12 a.m. EDT from Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana.

ATV-3 Cargo Ship Launches Into Clouds: March 23, 2012

An Ariane 5 rocket carrying the European Space Agency's ATV-3 cargo ship Edoardo Amaldi disappears into clouds after a dazzling launch just after 12 a.m. EDT from Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana.

ATV-3 Cargo Ship Launches on March 23, 2012

An Ariane 5 rocket carrying the European Space Agency's ATV-3 cargo ship Edoardo Amaldi lights up the night after a dazzling liftoff just after 12 a.m. EDT from Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana.

ATV-3 Spaceship Launch: Upper Stage Ignition

The upper stage of an Ariane 5 rocket ignites after stage separation in this still image from an Arianespace broadcast of the launch of the ATV-3 cargo ship toward the International Space Station on March 23, 2012 from Kourou, French Guiana.

ATV-3 Spaceship Launch: Fairing Sep

This still from an Arianespace broadcast shows the shell-like nose cone, or payload fairing, falling away to the left after the launch of an Ariane 5 rocket carrying the new ATV-3 cargo ship for the International Space Station on March 23, 2012. The launch blasted off from Europe's spaceport in French Guiana.

ATV-3 Spaceship Launch: Booster Sep

This view from an Ariane 5 rocket camera shows the rocket's boosters (one at far right) falling away after being jettisoned during a successful launch of the European ATV-3 cargo ship toward the International Space Station on March 23, 2012.

ATV Edoardo Amaldi Under the Ariane 5’s Payload Fairing

This cutaway drawing depicts ATV Edoardo Amaldi under the Ariane 5’s payload fairing.

European Space Agency ATV-3 Edoardo Amaldi

Europe's third Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV-3) is named Edoardo Amaldi.

ATV-3 - The Edoardo Amaldi

The third ATV, is named after famous Italian physicist and spaceflight pioneer Edoardo Amaldi. Edoardo Amaldi was a leading figure in Italian science in the 20th century, particularly in fundamental experimental physics. Here, a portrait of Amaldo on the Ariane 5 rocket is seen during launch preparations.

ATV-3 - The Edoardo Amaldi

The third ATV, is named after famous Italian physicist and spaceflight pioneer Edoardo Amaldi. Edoardo Amaldi was a leading figure in Italian science in the 20th century, particularly in fundamental experimental physics.

ATV-3 - The Edoardo Amaldi Emblem

The third Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV-3), to be launched to the International Space Station in March 2012, is named after Italian physicist and spaceflight pioneer Edoardo Amaldi.

Liftoff of Ariane 5 VA205 Rocket with ATV-3

On Friday March 23, 2012, Ariane 5 VA205 with the third Automated Transfer Vehicle Edoardo Amaldi lifted off from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.

Liftoff of Ariane 5 VA205 Rocket with ATV-3

On Friday, March 23, 2012, Ariane 5 VA205 with the third Automated Transfer Vehicle Edoardo Amaldi lifted off from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.

Liftoff of Ariane 5 VA205 with ATV-3 Seen from the 90-M High Water Tower

On Friday, March 23, 2012, Ariane 5 VA205 with the third Automated Transfer Vehicle Edoardo Amaldi lifted off from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.

Liftoff of Ariane 5 VA205 with ATV-3 seen from the 90-M High Water Tower

On Friday, March 23, 2012, Ariane 5 VA205 with the third Automated Transfer Vehicle Edoardo Amaldi lifted off from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.

ATV-3 Skywatching Video Still

This still from a video by skywatcher Marco Langbroek shows the European Space Agency's space cargo ship ATV-3 as it passed over Leiden in the Netherlands on March 23, 2012.

ATV-3 Optical Image Seen from the Ground

Skywatcher Ralf Vandebergh sent this image of the ATV-3 spacecraft on its way to the International Space Station, taken March 25, 2012. He writes: " ... solar panels visible from a low angle. Obtained using a 10inch reflector and manually tracking."

ATV-3 Approaches the International Space Station

European Space Agency's "Edoardo Amaldi" Automated Transfer Vehicle-3 (ATV-3) approaches the International Space Station.on March 28, 2012.

ATV-3 Nearing the International Space Station

European Space Agency's "Edoardo Amaldi" Automated Transfer Vehicle-3 (ATV-3) nears the International Space Station, on March 28, 2012.

ATV-3 Floating Near International Space Station

European Space Agency's "Edoardo Amaldi" Automated Transfer Vehicle-3 (ATV-3) docked to the International Space Station at 6:31 p.m. (EDT) on March 28, 2012,

Amazing Night Launch Photos: Europe's ATV-3 Cargo Ship Blasts Off

Date: 25 September 2012 Time: 10:00 AM ET
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