Editor’s note: There’s a great update today over at NASASpaceflight.com on our favourite cargo vessel, Albert Einstein. Pete Harding’s done a great job reviewing the current state of launch preparations, and his article includes some insider gen from the ATV team at ESA. Well worth reading the entire update!

ATV-3 docking seen from ISS  Credit: NASA

ATV-3 docking seen from ISS Credit: NASA

Europe’s latest space freighter, the Automated Transfer Vehicle-4 (ATV-4), is currently undergoing preparations for a realigned launch date following the replacement of a faulty unit inside the spacecraft. While the primary mission of ATV-4 will be to deliver a large load of cargo and propellants to the International Space Station, it will also help to contribute vital knowledge to the design effort for Orion’s Service Module.

Access full article via NASASpaceflight.com