Edoardo Amaldi ATV

The Edoardo Amaldi ATV, or <a href="/facts/Automated_Transfer_Vehicle/sHdKC0wv">Automated Transfer Vehicle</a> 003 (ATV-003), was a European uncrewed <a href="/facts/Cargo_spacecraft/L8jVmKxl">cargo spacecraft</a>, named after the 20th-century <a href="/facts/Italy/tUf0PDYF">Italian</a> <a href="/facts/Physicist/cQcgvSIm">physicist</a> <a href="/facts/Edoardo_Amaldi/34Pgr4UD">Edoardo Amaldi</a>. The spacecraft was launched by the <a href="/facts/European_Space_Agency/L8YRNV0C">European Space Agency</a> (ESA) on 23 March 2012, on a mission to supply the <a href="/facts/International_Space_Station/VNPUBz9m">International Space Station</a> (ISS) with propellant, water, oxygen, and dry cargo.
Edoardo Amaldi was the third ATV to be built, following <a href="/facts/Jules_Verne_ATV/C1L0pSEf">Jules Verne</a> (2008) and <a href="/facts/Johannes_Kepler_ATV/9toqCXeB">Johannes Kepler</a> (2011). At the time of its launch, it was the world's largest single operational spacecraft, with a total launch mass of over 20 tonnes (44,000 lb). The ATV completed its mission successfully, and was deorbited on 3 October 2012, burning up in the Earth's atmosphere as planned.

Edoardo Amaldi ATV open-in-new

Edoardo Amaldi ATV