Fifth ATV named following Georges Lemaitre

Georges Lemaitre teaching at the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium. In 1927, Georges Lemaitre exposed a family of solutions to Einstein's relativity equations that describe an expanding Universe quite than a static one, and provide the first observational opinion of the Hubble steady. The theory later became much improved known as the Big Bang theory. Identification ESA's fifth Automated Transfer Vehicle after Belgian scientist Georges Lemaitre continue the custom of drawing on great European visionaries to reflect Europe's bottomless roots in science, technology and culture. Credits: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven.

ESA's Automated Transfer Vehicles (ATVs) are a necessary contribution by Europe to organization the International Space Station. Naming the fifth after Belgian scientist Georges Lemaitre continues the custom of drawing on great European visionaries to reflect Europe's deep roots in science, technology and culture.

The first Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), which made a flawless flight in 2008, was sname after French science fiction author Jules Verne. It was follow in 2011 by ATV-2, named in honor of German mathematician and astronomer Johannes Kepler.

It will be the twist of the third ATV, name following the Italian physicist and space pioneer Edoardo Amaldi, to head towards the Space Station on 9 March.ATV-4, aim for launch in early 2013, carries the name of Albert Einstein.Naming the last vehicle of the family, ATV-5, after Belgian physicist Georges Lemaitre, father of the Big Bang theory, continue this approach.