Ariane 5ES launches with ATV-4 "Albert Einstein"
June 5, 2013 - At over 20 metric tons launch weight ATV-4 "Albert Einstein" was the most heavy
payload ever launched from Europe's space port in Kourou, French Guiana. The mission: Delivery of
supplies and propellants to the International Space Station.
By contributing the on-board camera system "OCAM-2/STEREX" to the mission, DLR was eligible for a logo
on the launcher's fairing. Of course, this necessitated for a special photo coverage of this particular
launch campaign.
Lift-off occurred just after sunset. The sky was painted in beautiful colors. For the cameras at the pad,
however, the exposure time being tuned to the bright exhaust flames of the rocket engines, the sky was
already almost entirely dark.