Ariane 5 and ATV Edoardo Amaldi seen on 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. Credits : ESA – S. Corvaja, 2012

Ariane 5 flight VA205 and ATV Edoardo Amaldi ready for launch