A technician checks one of ATV Albert Einstein‘s thrusters before the space ferry is moved for fuelling at Europe’s Spaceport, Kourou, French Guiana. Once launched into space the thrusters are used as ATV’s main engines producing 490 kN.
Automated Transfer Vehicles (ATV) are multi-function unmanned ferries sent into orbit by the European Ariane 5 launcher. Each spacecraft can deliver up to 7 tonnes of cargo to the International Space Station including supplies and equipment, water, air, nitrogen, oxygen and fuel.