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
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Artist's view of Ariane 5 with the different ATV.
From left to right:
- ATV-1, Jules Verne, on Ariane 5, launched on 9 March 2008;
- ATV-2, Johannes Kepler, on Ariane 5, launched on 16 February 2011;
- ATV-3, Albert Einstein, on Ariane 5, launched on 23 March 2012;
- ATV-4, Edoardo Amaldi, on Ariane 5, launched on 15 June 2013;
- ATV-5, Georges Lemaitre, on Ariane 5, launch set for summer 2014.
The International Space Station depends on regular deliveries of experiment equipment and spare parts, as well as food, air and water for its permanent crew.
Since its first voyage in April 2008, the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) has been an indispensable supply ship to the Space Station.
Approximately every 17 months, ATV carries 6.6 tonnes of cargo to the Station 400 km above Earth. An onboard high-precision navigation system automatically guides ATV on a rendezvous trajectory towards the orbital outpost, where it docks with the Station's Russian service module Zvezda.
ATV then remains attached as a pressurised module and integral part of the Station for up to six months. After that it detaches and reenters Earth's atmosphere, where it breaks up and burns, together with up to 6.4 tonnes of waste from the Station.