ATV-4 before docking

The fourth in ESA's series of five Automated Transfer Vehicles was launched on June 5th, 2013 and is on its way to the International Space Station. Carried into orbit onboard an Ariane 5 launcher from Europe's spaceport in French Guiana, it'll take ten days to reach the ISS. After an automated rendezvous and docking procedure, ATV's cargo of essential supplies for the station will be unloaded. It will remain attached to the station, providing the crew with extra working and stowage space, before undocking and burning up over the Pacific Ocean in October.