June 6 saw the launch of European Space Agency's (ESA) fourth Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), which lifted atop the Ariane 5 rocket from a spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana at 5:53 p. m. EDT on the day.

Dubbed Albert Einstein, the vehicle is the largest, most advanced and best among the other vehicles servicing in the orbit. It is backed with highly precise navigation systems, outstanding flight software and a self-monitoring and collision-avoidance system.

It features independent power suppliers, control and thrusters. The ship will be managed by the ATV Control Center and operated by ESA and the French space agency CNES jointly.

The rocket is operated by Arianespace. The shipment carried by it heaviest for Europe as of now and weighs a total of 5,500 pounds. It includes 1,400 different items comprising of drinking water and propellants.

The ATV is expected to dock with the International Space Station (ISS) within a week. In a statement, ESA boasted that no other spaceship proceeding towards the ISS has exhibited such a high level of autonomous control.

"With another successful launch of the ATV, European industry demonstrates its capacity to produce unique spacecrafts, providing ESA with a key role among the partners of the International Space Station", said Jean-Jacques Dordain, the ESA Director General.