Liftoff of an Ariane 5 launcher from Europe’s spaceport in French Guiana with ESA’s last Automated Transfer vehicle to the Space Station.<br /><br />The fifth and final mission of ESA’s Automated Transfer Vehicle got off to a flying start with its launch from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, heading for the International Space Station.<br /><br />Georges Lemaître is the fifth ATV built and launched by ESA as part of Europe’s contribution to cover the operational costs for using the Space Station.<br /><br />Named after the Belgian scientist who formulated the Big Bang Theory, ATV Georges Lemaître lifted off at 23:47 GMT on 29 July (01:47 CEST 30 July, 20:47 local time 29 July) on an Ariane 5 ES rocket.<br /><br />The vehicle will deliver 6561 kg of freight, including 2628 kg of dry cargo and 3933 kg of water, propellants and gases.<br /><br />Credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace
