Incredible time-lapse shows European Space Agency's 'Lemaitre' cargo craft undock from the ISS

The Lemaitre ATV-5 was the last of five supply craft sent to the International Space Station in seven years

The AGV undocked early on Saturday morning (ESA)

The European Space Agency has released a remarkable time-lapse video showing a cargo spacecraft departing from the International Space Station, the last European-led Automated Transfer Vehicle to be sent by to the ISS during a seven-year supply programme.

The video released today, shows the “Georges Lemaitre” ATV-5, the fifth and final spacecraft in a series of European supply vehicles to be sent to the ISS, leaving the craft’s docking bay before beginning its descent towards earth.

Commenting after the flight, Thomas Reiter, Director of Human Spaceflight and Operations at the ESA, said: "It is with a feeling of pride that we look back at our accomplishments on the ATV programme."

The video marked the end of the six-year programme that has seen the ESA send five different cargo spacecraft deliver an estimated 34 tonnes to the ISS, including 8 tonnes of food, as well as spare parts and other equipment.

The “Lemaitre” ATV-5 follows the “Jules Verne” ATV-1 launched in March 2008, the “Johannes Kepler” ATV-2 which blasted off in February 2011, the ”Edoardo Amaldi“ ATV-3 in March 2012, and the ”Albert Einstein“ ATV-4 which was sent in June 2013.

The launch of the Lemaitre ATV-5 on 29 July 2014 was the biggest of the five, setting the record for the heaviest Ariane 5 take off ever recorded.

Following on from their successful launch and re-entry of the IXV last week, the ESA will use the data taken from the craft’s re-entry to further develop its reusable spacecraft programme.