ATV-004 Albert Einstein

Yesterday during handover, when flight control teams switch, there was a new call sign on AFD (Alternate Flight Control Loop).  AFD is where flight controllers brief each other on the current state of their respective systems before the start of the shift.  This call sign was ATV-FLIGHT, the flight director of ATV-004 (Automated Transfer Vehicle) Albert Einstein.

ATV-004 Albert Einstein was launched at 21:53:11 GMT on June 5th 2013.  I was on console this day but it was during the swing shift, and I was on the night shift.  By the time I came into work at 04:00:00 GMT June 6th 2013 it was already on its way to the ISS.  ATV-004 Albert Einstein is on a course over the next 10 days to reach the ISS and dock on June 15th 2013.  A video of the launch can be seen here: ATV-004 Albert Einstein Launch Video


The ATVs are launched from the Guiana Space Centre also known as the Centre spatial guyanais (CSG) which is a French launch complex in French New Guiana.  ESA (European Space Agency) is the main costumer of the launch center.

The ESA Ariane 5 rocket is used to launch the ATVs into space.

ATV-004 Albert Einstein has set a number of records for ATVs and the Ariane 5:

1. Most dry cargo launched in any European spacecraft - 2,480 kilograms (5,500 lb)
2.  Most diverse cargo mix - 1400 different items
3. Largest quantity of late cargo (cargo added only 2 weeks before launch while Albert Einstein is already mated to the top of the Ariane 5 rocket) - 620 kilograms (1,400 lb)

A full cargo breakdown is provided in the following table

Cargo	Mass
ISS reboost/attitude control propellant	2,580 kilograms (5,700 lb)
ISS refuel propellant	860 kilograms (1,900 lb)
Water (for Russian Segment)	570 kilograms (1,300 lb)
Gas (1 tank O2, 2 tanks air)	100 kilograms (220 lb)
Dry cargo (food, clothes, equipment)	2,480 kilograms (5,500 lb)
Total	6,590 kilograms (14,500 lb)

This information and more can be found at :  ATV-4 Fact Sheet