An excellent series of images taken in the past few hours showing the work taking place this evening in Kourou’s BAF building, as the aerodynamic fairing is lowered over top of ATV-3.

These provide some of the final views of ATV-3 that we’ll see until its in orbit and approaching the International Space Station.

Many thanks to ESA’s Alberto Novelli for taking time to send these in!

One of the final views on Earth of the ATV-3 nose cone Credit: ESA/A. Novelli

One of the final views on Earth of the ATV-3 nose cone Credit: ESA/A. Novelli

Ariane 5's huge fairing about to be lifted into place over ATV-3 Credit: ESA/A. Novelli

Ariane 5's huge fairing about to be lifted into place over ATV-3 Credit: ESA/A. Novelli

ATV-3 ready for fairing lowering in Kourou Credit: ESA/A. Novelli

ATV-3 ready for fairing lowering in Kourou Credit: ESA/A. Novelli

Ariane 5 fairing being slowly lowered over ATV-3 in Kourou. Credit: ESA

Ariane 5 fairing being slowly lowered over ATV-3 in Kourou. Credit: ESA

 

Ariane 5's aerodynamic fairing almost settled into place over ATV-3 Credit: ESA/A. Novelli

Ariane 5's aerodynamic fairing almost settled into place over ATV-3 Credit: ESA/A. Novelli

TV monitor view of Ariane fairing encapsulating ATV-3 in Kourou Credit: ESA

TV monitor view of Ariane fairing encapsulating ATV-3 in Kourou Credit: ESA

 

Ariane 5 fairing seen via TV monitor, now lowered over top of ATV-3 Credit: ESA

Ariane 5 fairing seen via TV monitor, now lowered over top of ATV-3 Credit: ESA