ATV-4 in Kourou

A technician prepares ATV Albert Einstein's pressurised module at Europe's Spaceport, Kourou, French Guiana to integrate it with the rest of the spacecraft. The pressurised module is used to store cargo and, once docked with the International Space Station, becomes a temporary habitable module.

Automated Transfer Vehicles (ATV) are multi-function unmanned ferries sent into orbit by the European Ariane 5 launcher. Each spacecraft can deliver up to 7 tonnes of cargo to the International Space Station including supplies and equipment, water, air, nitrogen, oxygen and fuel.