Earlier today in French Guiana, the ESA successfully launched an Ariane 5 rocket into space as part of its fifth and final Automated Transfer Vehicle mission. The vehicle is headed for the International Space Station where it will deposit its precious cargo.
The launcher, called Georges Lemaître, is the fifth ATV built and launched by ESA as part of Europe's contribution to cover the operational costs for using the ISS. It's named in honor of the Belgian scientist who formulated the Big Bang Theory.
Here's the liftoff in all its glory.
The ATV will deliver 14,465 lbs (6,561 kg) of freight, including 5,794 lbs (2,628 kg) of dry cargo and 8,670 lbs (3,933 kg) of water, propellants and gases. It will take a two-week trip to the ISS docking to the Zvezda service module on August 12th with its seven tons of science, food, fuel and supplies.
Since the beginning of 2014, seven resupply vehicles have been sent to the ISS.
[Via ESA]