It was a tough haul to assess, grade and rank the excellent ATV Orbital Photo Contest images submitted from around the world (that’s why we’re a bit late announcing the winners).

All were great for one or more reasons, and on behalf of ESA’s entire ATV team, we’d like to publicly thank Don Thomas, Yujiro Suzuki, Taichi Iwamoto, Meire Ruiz, Patrick Faucon and Marco Langbroek for their great work.

Without further ado, it’s my pleasure to announce the top three winners!

1st place – Many ATVs seen in orbit – Don Thomas, UK

ATV-3 en route to the ISS: Space Moths - stacked montage. Credit/Copyright: Don Thomas - Used by permission

ATV-3 en route to the ISS: Space Moths – stacked montage. Credit/Copyright: Don Thomas – Used by permission

2nd place – ATV-3 seen against deep blue dawn sky – Yujiro Suzuki, JP

ATV-3 & ISS seen in orbit 2 October 2012 over Chiba, Japan. Credit/Copyright: Y. Suzuki

ATV-3 & ISS seen in orbit 2 October 2012 over Chiba, Japan. Credit/Copyright: Y. Suzuki

3rd place – Eddie seen from here – Marco Langbroek, NL 

ATV-3 seen in orbit above Leiden, NL, 30 Sep 2012, 06:47:22 CEST. Credit/Copyright: M. Langbroek. Used by permission

ATV-3 seen in orbit above Leiden, NL, 30 Sep 2012, 06:47:22 CEST. Credit/Copyright: M. Langbroek. Used by permission

Access the complete list of seven entries here.

We’ll contact Don, Suzuki-san and Marco via email to arrange sending their prizes.

Top place wins a fabulous 1:125 ATV + ISS + Ariane model kit “Mission Jules Verne” produced the famous French model-making company Heller.

The kits were marketed starting in 2008 for the initial ATV-1 mission to the ISS. We’ve got just a few kits left over from our original stock and will be sending one out to Don in the UK.

Our 2nd & 3rd place winners will receive a selection of very cool ATV-branded items via post.

Thank you for following us here in the blog and for your continuing interest in Europe’s ATV missions to the ISS.