Artist's impression of the completed International Space Station

The International Space Station as it will appear when it is fully operational in about 2007. With a total mass of about 420 tonnes, habitable volume of 1200 cubic metres and length of 108 metres, it will accommodate a permanent crew of 6-7 in six laboratories (including ESAs Columbus at front left). ESA will also contribute the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV, docking at the rear to Russias Service Module), launched by Ariane-5 to deliver up to 7.4 tonnes of cargo each time. The ATV's engines will also reboost the ISS to combat orbital decay. Other European contributions include connecting Nodes, the European Robotic Arm (ERA, seen attached to the top tower), the Cupola, the Data Management System for the Russian Service Module, and a large proportion of the Crew Return Vehicle. Status as of June 2001.