Ariane 5 with ATV Edoardo Amaldi transfer to launch pad

Ariane 5 flight VA205 and ATV Edoardo Amaldi during transfer from the final assembly building to the launch pad, on 21 March 2012, in Kourou, French Guiana. Weighing in at 19 714 kg, including 6596 kg of fuel, air, oxygen, scientific equipment, spare parts and crew supplies, ATV-3 is the heaviest payload ever lofted by Ariane 5. Including the launcher itself, 777 tonnes will be pushed off the pad. The Automated Transfer Vehicle, the most complex spacecraft ever produced in Europe, will deliver essential supplies to the orbital outpost. It will also reboost the Space Station’s orbit while it is attached for about five months. ATV Edoardo Amaldi is the third in a series of five supply ships developed in Europe to fulfil its obligation towards the exploitation costs of the Station.