An Ariane 5 ES has successfully launched Automated Transfer Vehicle 4 (ATV 4) to resupply the International Space Station (ISS).
The 5 June launch from Kourou, French Guiana, marks Ariane 5's 69th launch in total - which includes all four ATV flights to date - and the second of 2013.
One upper-stage burn remained until ATV was to be delivered into its target orbit, where it was to rendezvous with the ISS.
The capsule is carrying general cargo, water and ISS thruster fuel. At about 20,000kg, ATV 4 is said to be the heaviest payload the Ariane has ever launched.
Only one additional EADS Astrium-built ATV launch remains, currently scheduled for 2014.
Source: Flight International
