The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
Go to topicThank you for liking
You have already liked this page, you can only like it once!
ESA’s last Automated Transfer Vehicle, ATVGeorges Lemaître, is set for launch to the International Space Station from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana at 23:44 GMT on 29 July (01:44 CEST on 30 July).
The fifth in the series of the largest spacecraft ever built in Europe is also the heaviest load an Ariane 5 has ever launched.
ATV-5 is set to carry almost 6.6 tonnes of supplies to the orbital outpost, including a record amount of dry cargo: around 2682 kg.
Georges Lemaîtreswill deliver experiments, equipment, spare parts, water, air and even artwork to the six astronauts living in space.
ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst will be responsible for docking and unloading the cargo when ATV arrives at its destination around two weeks after launch.