Photos: Europe's ATV Robotic Space Cargo Ships

Albert Einstein ATV-4 Spacecraft Coming Together

ESA

Pressurised module of the ATV Albert Einstein being manufactured in December 2010 in Turin by Thales Alenia.

ATV Edoardo Amaldi Under the Ariane 5’s Payload Fairing

Arianespace

This cutaway drawing depicts ATV Edoardo Amaldi under the Ariane 5's payload fairing. Image released March 20, 2012.

A Final View of Automated Transfer Vehicle Edoardo Amaldi

ESA/CNES/Arianespace/Optique Video du CSG - J.M. Guillon

A final view of Automated Transfer Vehicle Edoardo Amaldi before it is installed on the Ariane rocket. ESA’s third automated space freighter, Edoardo Amaldi, will carry about two tonnes of dry cargo, 285 kg of water and more than three tonnes of propellants to the International Space Station. Image released March 21, 2012.

Protective Fairing Lowered over Automated Transfer Vehicle Edoardo Amaldi

ESA/CNES/Arianespace/Optique Video du CSG - J.M. Guillon

The protective fairing is lowered over Automated Transfer Vehicle Edoardo Amaldi. With the fairing in place, the spacecraft will be lowered on to the Ariane rocket that will launch it to the International Space Station. ESA's third automated space freighter, Edoardo Amaldi, will carry about two tonnes of dry cargo, 285 kg of water and more than three tonnes of propellants to the International Space Station. Image released March 21, 2012.

European Automated Transfer Vehicle Installation

Arianespace

The third European Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) for launch by Arianespace was installed atop its Ariane 5 at the Spaceport today, marking one of the final steps in preparations for a March 9 liftoff on a servicing mission to the International Space Station. Image released Feb. 9, 2012.

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