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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ESA’s fifth and final Automated Transfer Vehicle, Georges Lemaître, arrived at the International Space Station on 12 August 2014 and docked autonomously. Inside the station ATV loadmaster and ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst worked with Sasha Skvortsov to monitor its approach and docking with the ATV control centre in Toulouse, France, issuing commands.
This video shows excerpts of the docking from inside the International Space Station with Alexander and Oleg checking the approach stays within limits.
Georges Lemaître bought 6602 kg of freight, including 2680 kg of dry cargo and 3922 kg of water, propellants and gases to the Station.
Find out more about ESA’s largest spacecraft on the ATV blog.
Follow Alexander’s Blue Dot mission via alexandergerst.esa.int