ATV on its Way to ISS

Cutaway view of the ATV cargo carrier. Credit: ESA

The European Space Agency launched the Ariane 5 rocket from its location on the north end of South America on Wednesday. This is the second launch of the ESA's cargo module, and is named after the famous astronomer Johannes Kepler. The ATV 2(Automated Transfer Vehicle) is carrying seven metric tons of cargo to the International Space Station and is planned to dock on the 24th. It will stay attached to the station for some time and will act as storage for waste material and garbage until ready for dumping the entire thing to burn up in the atmosphere.