Japan Launches New Era of ISS Resupply Ships

Japan successfully launched its first re-supply spacecraft to the International Space Station today. After liftoff at 17:01 GMT (12:01 CDT) from Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan, flight controllers confirmed the HTV-1 spacecraft separated from the H-2B rocket and now is in its preliminary orbit. The flight profile has the HTV taking seven days to reach the ISS so controllers can run various tests and demonstrations on its maiden voyage before rendezvousing with the space station. Unlike previous re-supply ships that dock directly to the station, the HTV will fly to within 10 meters from the ISS on September 17, and then astronaut Nicole Stott will reach out and grapple the spacecraft with the space station’s robotic arm, Canadarm 2, and connect it to the Harmony module on the ISS.

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The new HTV spacecraft is the latest in an international fleet of cargo ships to support the space station. While capable of carrying 6.5 tons of cargo, on this first flight it is bringing up 5 tons of food, experiments and other supplies for the ISS. Unlike previous supply ships, it can haul large unpressurized experiments and equipment to remain outside the station, as well as supplies for inside the station, too. For its flight debut, the HTV-1’s external cargo drawer is filled with two experiments – one for JAXA and one for NASA – to be attached to the Kibo lab’s external porch.

The HTV weighs about 16 tons, is 9 meters (30 feet) long and 4.2 meters (14.5 feet) in diameter.

Another difference is that craft doesn’t have solar array wings, but has 57 solar arrays molded around the spacecraft to gather power from sunlight.

“HTV-1 is opening up new horizons for JAXA’s undertaking of human spaceflight,” said Masazumi Miyake, deputy director of JAXA’s Houston office. “I like to say that JAXA is now entering a new era.”

The success of both the HTV and the H-2B rocket will likely prove to be an important stepping stone for JAXA, as the country has ambitions of heading to the moon and Mars.