Once upon a launch: Flight VA213 – Albert puts lasagne on the astronauts’ menu

Once upon a launch: Flight VA213 – Albert puts lasagne on the astronauts’ menu
June 5, 2013: launch of ATV-4, supply ship to the International Space Station.

June 5, 2013: launch of ATV-4, supply ship to the International Space Station.

On June 5, 2013 a specially adapted Ariane 5 rocket placed the 20.2 tons of the ATV-4 ‘Albert Einstein’ into orbit on its way to the International Space Station (ISS). © ESA–S. Corvaja, 2013

On June 5, 2013 a specially adapted Ariane 5 rocket placed the 20.2 tons of the ATV-4 ‘Alb...

‘Albert Einstein’ was the fourth of a series of five Automated Transport Vehicles (ATV), completely automated cargo ships for the ISS. © Arianespace

‘Albert Einstein’ was the fourth of a series of five Automated Transport Vehicles (ATV), c...

The ATVs delivered essential supplies of fuel, food, water and equipment to the astronauts on board the ISS. At the end of their mission they were filled with waste, de-docked and disintegrated as they re-entered the Earth’s atmosphere. © ESA–CNES–Arianespace Optique Video CSG

The ATVs delivered essential supplies of fuel, food, water and equipment to the astronauts...

The ATV is the biggest payload (20 tons, 10m x 4.5m) ever lofted by the Ariane rocket, around twice that of a “standard” mission. And the target orbit is unusual: circular, as opposed to elliptical, as for standard missions. © ESA-CNES

The ATV is the biggest payload (20 tons, 10m x 4.5m) ever lofted by the Ariane rocket, aro...

This needed a special version of Ariane 5: Ariane 5 ES, reinforced and with a re-ignitable upper stage (Aestus engine). © ESA–S. Corvaja, 2013

This needed a special version of Ariane 5: Ariane 5 ES, reinforced and with a re-ignitable...

Despite its mass of nearly 20 tonnes and 22 metre span, the ATV is so precise that it can dock autonomously with the ISS at a speed of 28,000 km/h and with a precision of less than 10 cm. © ESA

Despite its mass of nearly 20 tonnes and 22 metre span, the ATV is so precise that it can ...

ATV-4 brought the largest assortment ever to the ISS. In addition to toothbrushes, t-shirts, socks and essential equipment, astronauts could enjoy peanut butter, waffles, strawberries, lasagne, parmesan, and macadamia nuts. © ESA

ATV-4 brought the largest assortment ever to the ISS. In addition to toothbrushes, t-shirt...

When the Ariane 5 ES blasted off on June 5, 2013, it had other smaller, passengers on board – a set of cameras which recorded the very first spectacular video footage of the ATV separating from the rocket and being released into free flight.<br /> The images offer a close-up perspective on the dynamic processes taking place during the separation of the ATV from Ariane. © ESA-NASA<br />

When the Ariane 5 ES blasted off on June 5, 2013, it had other smaller, passengers on boar...

Ariane 5 ES successfully launched all five ATVs between 2008 and 2014. © ESA–S. Corvaja, 2013

Ariane 5 ES successfully launched all five ATVs between 2008 and 2014. © ESA–S. Corvaja, 2...

Once upon a launch: <br/>April 2, 1989, Flight VA30
Photo story

Once upon a launch:
April 2, 1989, Flight VA30

Ariane 2’s last mission before rocketing into the Launcher Hall of Fame. Ariane 2 paved the way for the great…

04-02-2020
Once upon a launch: Flight VA188, peering into the distant universe with the Herschel and Planck telescopes

Once upon a launch: Flight VA188, peering into the distant universe with the Herschel and Planck telescopes

Come on board for a supersize launch taking us to observe the birth of stars and galaxies.

05-28-2020

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