Docking with the ISS is always a momentous event for Europe’s ATV resupply craft. As well as ferrying food and equipment for the station’s 6-strong crew, its mission is also to help the ISS to stay on course.

The hooks of the ATV-3 Edoardo Amaldi closed just minutes after contact with the International Space Station (ISS) Thursday 29 March at 0:31 CET. The final approach phase of ESA’s spacecraft lasted several hours.