# Georges Lemaître ATV

> European uncrewed cargo resupply spacecraft

**Wikidata**: [Q1009523](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1009523)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georges_Lemaître_ATV)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/georges-lemaitre-atv

## Summary
Georges Lemaître ATV was a European uncrewed cargo resupply spacecraft, part of the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) series developed by the European Space Agency (ESA). It was launched on July 29, 2014, aboard an Ariane 5ES rocket from ELA-3 and served as the fifth and final ATV mission, succeeding the Albert Einstein ATV. The spacecraft was named after Belgian astronomer Georges Lemaître, who proposed the Big Bang theory.

## Key Facts
- **Class**: Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), a resupply spacecraft for the International Space Station (ISS)
- **Launch Date**: July 29, 2014
- **Launch Vehicle**: Ariane 5ES
- **Launch Site**: ELA-3 (European Spaceport, French Guiana)
- **Manufacturers**: Airbus Defence and Space, Thales Alenia Space
- **Operator**: European Space Agency (ESA)
- **Predecessor**: Albert Einstein ATV
- **Orbit**: Low Earth orbit (LEO)
- **Orbital Period**: 92.77 minutes
- **Orbital Inclination**: 51.65 degrees
- **Apoapsis**: 422 kilometers
- **Periapsis**: 412 kilometers
- **Mass**:
  - Takeoff: 20,293 kg
  - Payload: 6,555 kg
  - Pressurized Cargo: 2,622 kg
  - Fuel: 2,978 kg
  - Gas: 100 kg
  - Water: 855 kg
- **Significant Events**:
  - Docked with the ISS on August 12, 2014
  - Undocked on February 14, 2015
  - Reentered Earth's atmosphere on February 15, 2015
- **Aliases**: ATV-005, Automated Transfer Vehicle 005, Georges Lemaître ATV, Georges Lemaitre ATV, ATV-5, 第五个自动运载飞船
- **Wikipedia Languages**: Catalan, German, English, French, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Latvian, Polish, Russian, Swedish
- **Commons Category**: Georges Lemaître (spacecraft)

## FAQs
**What was the purpose of the Georges Lemaître ATV?**
The Georges Lemaître ATV was designed to deliver supplies, fuel, and scientific equipment to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the European Space Agency's Automated Transfer Vehicle program. It also performed reboost maneuvers to maintain the ISS's orbit.

**Who operated the Georges Lemaître ATV?**
The spacecraft was operated by the European Space Agency (ESA), which oversees its development, launch, and mission operations.

**How did the Georges Lemaître ATV differ from its predecessors?**
The Georges Lemaître ATV was the fifth and final mission in the ATV series, marking the conclusion of ESA's resupply program to the ISS. It carried a slightly different payload configuration and was named after Belgian astronomer Georges Lemaître, who proposed the Big Bang theory.

**What was the launch vehicle for the Georges Lemaître ATV?**
The spacecraft was launched aboard an Ariane 5ES rocket from the ELA-3 launch site at the European Spaceport in French Guiana.

**How long did the Georges Lemaître ATV remain docked to the ISS?**
The spacecraft was docked to the ISS for approximately 192 days, from August 12, 2014, to February 14, 2015.

## Why It Matters
The Georges Lemaître ATV played a crucial role in maintaining the International Space Station's operations by delivering essential supplies, including food, water, oxygen, and scientific equipment. Its mission contributed to the continued habitation and research conducted aboard the ISS, supporting over 200 experiments in microgravity. The ATV program, of which Georges Lemaître ATV was the final mission, demonstrated Europe's capability in autonomous spacecraft technology and its commitment to international collaboration in space exploration. The spacecraft's successful reentry and disposal of waste further highlighted ESA's efforts in sustainable space operations.

## Notable For
- **Final ATV Mission**: Georges Lemaître ATV was the fifth and final spacecraft in the Automated Transfer Vehicle series, concluding ESA's dedicated resupply program to the ISS.
- **Named After a Scientific Pioneer**: The spacecraft was named after Belgian astronomer Georges Lemaître, who formulated the Big Bang theory, recognizing his contributions to cosmology.
- **Precise Orbital Maneuvers**: The ATV performed critical reboost maneuvers to maintain the ISS's orbit, ensuring the station's stability and operational efficiency.
- **Sustainable Space Operations**: The spacecraft's controlled reentry and disposal of waste demonstrated ESA's commitment to sustainable space practices.
- **International Collaboration**: The ATV program was a key example of European cooperation in space exploration, working alongside NASA and other international partners.

## Body
### Mission Overview
Georges Lemaître ATV was launched on July 29, 2014, aboard an Ariane 5ES rocket from the ELA-3 launch site at the European Spaceport in French Guiana. The spacecraft was developed by Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space under the European Space Agency's (ESA) Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) program. It was the fifth and final ATV mission, succeeding the Albert Einstein ATV. The spacecraft was named in honor of Belgian astronomer Georges Lemaître, who proposed the Big Bang theory, reflecting ESA's recognition of his scientific legacy.

### Design and Specifications
The Georges Lemaître ATV had a takeoff mass of 20,293 kg, with a payload capacity of 6,555 kg. Its pressurized cargo compartment held 2,622 kg of supplies, including food, water, and scientific equipment. The spacecraft also carried 2,978 kg of fuel, 100 kg of gas, and 855 kg of water. The ATV was designed to autonomously dock with the ISS, a capability that required precise orbital maneuvers and advanced guidance systems.

### Orbital Parameters
The spacecraft operated in a low Earth orbit (LEO) with an orbital period of 92.77 minutes and an inclination of 51.65 degrees. Its orbit had an apoapsis of 422 km and a periapsis of 412 km, allowing it to rendezvous with the ISS. The ATV's orbital mechanics were critical for maintaining the station's altitude and trajectory, ensuring the safety and efficiency of its operations.

### Mission Timeline
The Georges Lemaître ATV docked with the ISS on August 12, 2014, at the Zvezda module's stern port. It remained attached to the station for approximately 192 days, during which time it delivered supplies and performed reboost maneuvers to adjust the ISS's orbit. The spacecraft undocked on February 14, 2015, and reentered Earth's atmosphere on February 15, 2015, completing its mission with a controlled disposal of waste materials.

### Scientific and Operational Contributions
During its mission, the Georges Lemaître ATV supported over 200 experiments conducted aboard the ISS, contributing to advancements in microgravity research. The spacecraft's reboost capabilities were essential for maintaining the ISS's orbit, preventing it from decaying due to atmospheric drag. The ATV's successful mission demonstrated Europe's expertise in autonomous spacecraft technology and its role in international space collaboration.

### Legacy and Impact
The Georges Lemaître ATV marked the end of the ATV program, which had provided critical resupply and reboost services to the ISS since 2008. The spacecraft's mission highlighted ESA's contributions to space exploration and its commitment to sustainable space operations. The naming of the ATV after Georges Lemaître underscored ESA's recognition of scientific pioneers and their impact on cosmology and space science. The ATV program's success paved the way for future European space missions and reinforced international cooperation in space exploration.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013