Initial checkout has begun at the Spaceport for Europe’s fourth Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), which is to be launched from French Guiana by Arianespace on a servicing mission to the International Space Station next year.

The Service Module for ATV Albert Einstein is positioned on its integration rig at Kourou's S5 payload preparation facility. Credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace/Optique Video du CSG

The Service Module for ATV Albert Einstein is positioned on its integration rig at Kourou’s S5 payload preparation facility. Credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace/Optique Video du CSG

 

ATV-4's Integrated Cargo Carrier is prepared for entry into the S5 complex. Credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace/Optique Video du CSG

ATV-4’s Integrated Cargo Carrier is prepared for entry into the S5 complex. Credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace/Optique Video du CSG

The activity underway includes verifications of the ATV’s Service Module in the Spaceport’s S5 payload preparation building, where it has been joined by the resupply spacecraft’s other major spacecraft element – the Integrated Cargo Carrier.

Full article via Arianespace