ATV Albert Einstein, as all spacecraft, needs a specific launcher adapter to connect the spacecraft to its Ariane rocket. We received some great pictures of Ariane’s ‘crowning’ in Kourou and the whole process of integrating the (black) launcher adapter and ATV itself. Precision work with a 12-tonne spacecraft! A story in images:

ESA/CNES/Arianespace/Optique Video du CSG

 

 

ESA/CNES/Arianespace/Optique Video du CSG

 

ESA/CNES/Arianespace/Optique Video du CSG

ESA/CNES/Arianespace/Optique Video du CSG

ESA/CNES/Arianespace/Optique Video du CSG

ESA/CNES/Arianespace/Optique Video du CSG

ESA/CNES/Arianespace/Optique Video du CSG