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  ESA - JAXA - China - International
  Kounotori-4: Viewing, comments and questions

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Author Topic:   Kounotori-4: Viewing, comments and questions
Robert Pearlman
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Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 08-06-2013 05:17 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Kounotori-4: mission viewing, questions, comments
This thread is intended for members' comments and questions about Japan's Kounotori-4 mission and the updates posted under the topic: JAXA's H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV-4) Kounotori-4.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched Saturday (Aug. 3) its fourth H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV-4) "Kounotori-4" to the International Space Station. The unmanned spacecraft lifted off atop an H-IIB rocket at 2:48 p.m. CDT (1948 GMT) from the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan.

gliderpilotuk
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Posts: 3398
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002

posted 08-06-2013 05:18 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for gliderpilotuk   Click Here to Email gliderpilotuk     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Just seen overhead London... and flaring very bright. Some good sightings of both HTV-4 and the ISS in close orbit over the UK this week.

SkyMan1958
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Posts: 867
From: CA.
Registered: Jan 2011

posted 08-09-2013 03:33 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for SkyMan1958   Click Here to Email SkyMan1958     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Does anyone know WHY the powers that be are having cargo carrying spacecraft take such a long time from launch to rendezvous with the ISS? It seems that even a "quick" rendezvous with the ISS by the assorted Russian, European, US or Japanese cargo vessels takes 2 days.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 08-09-2013 06:32 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Transit times are determined by a number of factors, driven by an overriding desire to minimize propellant consumption. Other constraints include the availability of the launch site and traffic at the space station.

ESA's ATV has a nominal transit time of five days, similar to JAXA's HTV. Russia's Progress has made the trip in six hours (four orbits).

SkyMan1958
Member

Posts: 867
From: CA.
Registered: Jan 2011

posted 08-09-2013 07:59 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for SkyMan1958   Click Here to Email SkyMan1958     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thank you for the info Robert!

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