Arianespace Albert Einstein ATV (ATV-004) Ariane 5 ES
Rocket Launch Video Stream
About the Albert Einstein ATV (ATV-004) Mission
| Type | Resupply |
|---|---|
| Orbit | Low Earth Orbit |
ATV-4 is the Automated Transfer Vehicle operated by the European Space Agency (ESA) to resupply the international space station (ISS) with propellant, water, air and dry cargo. After 10 days in orbit it docked to the ISS on 15th June 2013.
Launch Pad & Location
Ariane Launch Area 3
Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana
| Launches | 118 |
|---|---|
| Orbital Launch Attempts | 118 |
| Total Launches | 336 |
The Guiana Space Centre is a European spaceport to the northwest of Kourou in French Guiana, a region of France in South America. Kourou is located at a latitude of 5°. In operation since 1968, it is a suitable location for a spaceport because of its equatorial location and open sea to the east.
ArianeGroup Ariane 5 ES Rocket
The Ariane 5 ES (Evolution Storable) has an estimated LEO launch capacity of 21,000 kg (46,000 lb). It includes all the performance improvements of Ariane 5 ECA core and boosters but replaces the ESC-A second stage with the restartable EPS used on Ariane 5 GS variants. It was used to launch the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) into a 260 km circular low Earth orbit inclined at 51.6° and has been used 3 times to launch 4 Galileo navigation satellites at a time directly into their operational orbit. The Ariane 5 ES flew 8 times from 2008 to 2018 with no failures.
| Length | 45.7 m |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 5.4 m |
| Stages | 2 |
| Launch Mass | 746.0 T |
| Takeoff Thrust | 11,400.0 kN |
| Apogee | 40,000.0 km |
| LEO Capacity | 21,000 kg |
| Maiden Flight | 3/9/2008 |
Mission Spacecraft
Albert Einstein ATV
Albert Einstein ATV (ATV-004) was the spacecraft used for this mission. It is a Arianespace Cargo Resupply designed for Cargo Earth Orbit Logistics and traveled to International Space Station.
The Albert Einstein ATV, or Automated Transfer Vehicle 004 (ATV-004), was a European unmanned cargo resupply spacecraft, named after the German-born physicist Albert Einstein. It was built to supply the International Space Station (ISS) with propellant, water, air, and dry cargo, and also to reboost the station's altitude with its thrusters. It was the fourth and penultimate ATV to be built, following the Edoardo Amaldi, which was launched in March 2012. Albert Einstein's components were constructed in Turin, Italy, and Bremen, Germany, and underwent final assembly and testing in Bremen in 2012. The spacecraft left Bremen for Kourou on 31 August 2012 to begin launch preparations. In terms of its role, the ATV was designed to complement the smaller Russian Progress spacecraft, possessing three times its useful payload capacity. Similar to the Progress, it would carry both bulk liquids and relatively fragile freight, which would be stored within a cargo hold maintained at a pressurized shirt-sleeve environment in order that astronauts would be able to access payloads without the need to put on spacesuits. The pressurized cargo section of the ATV was based on the Italian-built Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM), which was a Shuttle-carried "space barge" that had been previously used for transporting equipment to and from the Station. Unlike the MPLM, the ATV used the same docking mechanism as employed upon the Progress. The ATV, like the Progress, also serves as a container for the station's waste. Each ATV weighs 20.7 tonnes at launch and has a cargo capacity of 8 tonnes. Six months when docked
| Type | Cargo Resupply |
|---|---|
| Agency | Arianespace |
| Serial Number | ATV-004 |
| Status | Single Use |
| Destination | International Space Station |
| Maiden Flight | 3/9/2008 |
| Mission End | 11/2/2013 |
| Flights | 1 |
| Human Rated | No |
| Height | 10.3 m |
| Diameter | 4.5 m |
| Payload Capacity | 7,667 kg |
About Arianespace
Arianespace SA is a multinational company founded in 1980 as the world's first commercial launch service provider. It undertakes the production, operation, and marketing of the Ariane programme. Their vehicles launch exclusively from French Guiana in South America.
| Total Launches | 328 |
|---|---|
| Successful | 313 |
| Failed | 15 |
| Pending | 51 |
| Consecutive Success | 16 |
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Arianespace Ariane 5 ES Albert Einstein ATV (ATV-004) launch scheduled?
The Arianespace Ariane 5 ES Albert Einstein ATV (ATV-004) launch was scheduled for:
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Where can I watch the Arianespace Ariane 5 ES Albert Einstein ATV (ATV-004) launch video?
You can watch the Arianespace Ariane 5 ES launch video on this page. The official video includes full mission coverage with multiple camera angles, onboard views, and expert commentary covering pre-launch procedures, liftoff, stage separation, and payload deployment.
Where did the Arianespace Ariane 5 ES Albert Einstein ATV (ATV-004) mission launch from?
The Arianespace Ariane 5 ES rocket launched from Ariane Launch Area 3 at Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana. The Guiana Space Centre is a European spaceport to the northwest of Kourou in French Guiana, a region of France in South America. Kourou is located at a latitude of 5°. In operation since 1968, it is a suitable location for a spaceport because of its equatorial location and open sea to the east.
What rocket was used for the Albert Einstein ATV (ATV-004) mission?
The Albert Einstein ATV (ATV-004) mission launched aboard a Arianespace Ariane 5 ES rocket. The Ariane 5 ES (Evolution Storable) has an estimated LEO launch capacity of 21,000 kg (46,000 lb). It includes all the performance improvements of Ariane 5 ECA core and boosters but replaces the ESC-A second stage with the restartable EPS used on Ariane 5 GS variants. It was used to launch the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) into a 260 km circular low Earth orbit inclined at 51.6° and has been used 3 times to launch 4 Galileo navigation satellites at a time directly into their operational orbit. The Ariane 5 ES flew 8 times from 2008 to 2018 with no failures. Detailed rocket specifications and performance data are available in the rocket details above.
What weather conditions could have delayed the Arianespace Ariane 5 ES Albert Einstein ATV (ATV-004) launch?
The Arianespace Ariane 5 ES Albert Einstein ATV (ATV-004) launch could have been delayed by various weather conditions including lightning within 10 nautical miles, high winds (especially upper-level winds), thick cloud layers, precipitation, and poor visibility. Weather must be favorable at the launch site, downrange landing zones, and abort landing sites.
How can I get updates if the Arianespace Ariane 5 ES Albert Einstein ATV (ATV-004) launch was delayed?
This page was updated in real-time with the latest Arianespace Ariane 5 ES launch status, including any delays or scrubs for the Albert Einstein ATV (ATV-004) mission. You can also check our space launch schedule for historical launch information. Our mobile app provides push notifications for instant alerts about launch status changes. Official Arianespace live streams provided the most immediate range updates during the launch window.
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