The Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) Georges Lemaître has begun preflight checkout in the Spaceport’s clean room facilities, following its arrival in French Guiana for a scheduled Ariane 5 flight next year.

Artwork depicting the Ariane 5 flight with ATV-5, as well as the vessel's namesake. Credit: Arianespace

Artwork depicting the Ariane 5 flight with ATV-5, as well as the vessel’s namesake. Credit: Arianespace

As the fifth and final ATV to be launched by Arianespace under current arrangements with the European Space Agency, this spacecraft’s Integrated Cargo Carrier (ICC) has now been removed from its special shipping container in the S5C preparation hall.

In the Spaceport’s S5C high bay, ATV Georges Lemaître’s Integrated Cargo Carrier (ICC) emerges from its specialized shipping container. Credit: Arianespace

In the Spaceport’s S5C high bay, ATV Georges Lemaître’s Integrated Cargo Carrier (ICC) emerges from its specialized shipping container. Credit: Arianespace

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