NASA – ESA Launches Cargo to Space Station – Viewers Can Watch Launch Live

As the European Space Agency launches the third Automated Transfer Vehicle cargo ship to the International Space Station this week, the launch of the supplies to the ISS will be broadcast live on NASA television and streamed live over the internet for viewers to watch.

Launch of the Ariane 5 rocket which will carry the cargo into orbit is scheduled for 11:34 p.m. CDT on Thurdsay March 22. NASA TV coverage of the launch from the Arianespace launch site in Kourou, French Guiana will begin at 11 p.m. CDT.

On board the Ariane 5 is a 13-ton cargo space craft named “Edoardo Amaldi” to honor of the 20th-century Italian physicist who is regarded as one of the fathers of European spaceflight. In addition to the water, food and supplies the ship is taking up to the resupply the 6 current members aboard the ISS, the Edoardo Amaldi is also delivering just over 7 tons of propellant.

Once in orbit and synced up close to the ISS, docking with the space station is scheduled to take place at the aft port of the Russian Zvezda service module at 5:34 p.m. on March 28. The docking can also be watched live on NASA TV and the internet with coverage beginning at 4:45 p.m.

After spending the summer docked with the ISS, the Edoardo Amaldi is expected to head back to earth in September. After completion of a commanded deorbit and burn, the craft will reenter the Earth’s atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean.

Watch here for NASA TV streaming video of the launch: