Automated Transfer Vehicle
The European Space Agency's third Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), "Edoardo Amaldi", was launched on 23 March 2012, and docked successfully with the ISS on 28 March. The robotic ATV carried around of propellants, water and dry cargo to the Expedition 30 crew, and also helped boost the station's altitude with its thrusters. The ATV ultimately remained docked until September 2012, whereafter it deorbited and burned up in Earth's atmosphere as planned.