Animation illustrating the mission scenario for Europe's Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV). ATV launches from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. The 20.7 tonne ATV is well protected at the top of Ariane 5 during a three-minute high-pressure aerodynamic ascent. 100 minutes after lift-off, the ATV becomes a fully automatic spaceship navigating towards the International Space Station (ISS). The ATV uses its eye-like rendezvous sensors to dock precisely and safely with the ISS. ATV becomes an extension of the Station. The 45 m³ pressurised module delivers up to 7.2 tonnes of equipment, fuel, food, water and air for the crew. ATV uses up to 4.7 tonnes of propellant to raise the ISS altitude which naturally decreases with the residual atmospheric drag. After 6 months, ATV, loaded with 6.5 tonnes of waste, separates from ISS and fully burns out during a guided and controlled re-entry high over the Pacific Ocean.