Thursday 13 June 2013

Mr. Einstein in space!!

On 5 June 2013 a specially adapted Ariane 5 rocket placed the 20.2 tonnes of the ATV-4 ‘Albert Einstein’ into orbit. The ATV-4 is the heaviest payload that Ariane has ever carried into orbitThe cargo resupply ship named Albert Einstein—officially called the Automated Transfer Vehicle-4—is on its way to the International Space Station loaded down with supplies. 


The ATV ‘Albert Einstein’, designed and built by Astrium, is the fourth unmanned European transport spacecraft for the International Space Station (ISS). This is the 55th consecutive successful launch of Ariane 5, with a new payload record of 20.2 tonnes.  It is carrying over 2500 kilograms of supplies to the station. It’s a total of 1400 separate items, including food, water, clothing, equipment, even air. Once the port is cleared, ATV-4 can approach and dock. That’s scheduled for June 15, 2013.