Watch the video above: Europe’s final ATV-5 rocket blasts off from French Guiana.
TORONTO – The International Space Station will receive supplies in about two weeks after the successful launch of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) rocket from French Guiana on Tuesday.
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The ATV-5 will dock to the station’s Zvezda service module on Aug. 12 at 9:43 a.m. with more than 6,000 kilograms of supplies, including food and fuel, as well as scientific hardware.
The spacecraft, called the Lemaitre after a Belgian scientist who formulated the Big Bang theory, will also fly around the station to test a laser infrared imaging sensor that will help with future guidance.
The ESA plans to use ATV technology for future spacecraft, possibly as early as 2017.
Next January, the ATV-5 will leave the space station with trash and burn up over the Pacific Ocean.
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