posted 05-19-2020 09:17 PM               

Launch Schedule of the H-II Transfer Vehicle Kounotori 9

H-II Transfer Vehicle Kounotori 9, the cargo transporter to the International Space Station (ISS), will launch aboard the H-IIB Vehicle No. 9 as follows:

• Scheduled Date of Launch: May 21, 2020 [May 20 EDT]

• Scheduled Time of Launch: 2:31 a.m. Japan Standard Time (1:31 p.m. EDT)

• Reserved Launch Period: May 22 through June 30, 2020

• Location: Yoshinobu Launch Complex at the JAXA Tanegashima Space Center

• Arrival of the Kounotori 9 at ISS if launched as scheduled: Evening of May 25, 2020 Japan Standard Time (6:45 a.m. EDT)

posted 05-19-2020 09:18 PM               

JAXA HTV-9 Spacecraft Carries Science, Technology to the International Space Station

A Japanese cargo spacecraft loaded with experiment hardware, supplies and spare parts is scheduled to launch from the Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan to the International Space Station at 1:30 p.m. EDT Wednesday, May 20 (2:30 a.m. May 21 in Japan). The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) unpiloted H-II Transport Vehicle-9 (HTV-9) carries investigations testing a new livestreaming educational tool, microscope and telescope.

Here are details about some of the scientific investigations and facilities heading to the orbiting lab on HTV-9.

Coming to you live and interactive from space

A broadcasting studio is opening up in the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), also known as Kibo. The JAXA-sponsored education-focused experiment known as THE SPACE FRONTIER STUDIO - KIBO enables new livestreaming capabilities on station.

Terminals set up next to a window overlooking Earth in the JEM module are to be used for communication. The first round of demonstrations of the technology are set to occur this summer, testing out two-way livestreaming that allows people on the ground to communicate with the astronauts.

Looking back at Earth

Above: Preflight front view of the iSIM-IOD flight unit. The integrated Standard Imager for Microsatellites (iSIM) is a new generation high-resolution optical payload binocular telescope for Earth observation. (SATLANTIS)

Rather than looking out at the stars, this telescope points at our planet. The integrated Standard Imager for Microsatellites (iSIM), a very high-resolution optical binocular telescope developed by Spanish company SATLANTIS MICROSATS S.L., takes images of Earth at less than one meter of resolution. A combination of technologies including optics, mechanics, electronics and artificial intelligence algorithms achieves a high spatial resolution at significantly lower cost compared with traditional imaging systems of similar performance.

This experiment demonstrates the technology and its functionality in the low-Earth orbit environment. The prototype is mounted to the JAXA External Facility platform on the space station, which provides sample environment and operational conditions for testing the device.

A clearer picture of biology in microgravity

Above: Confocal Space Microscope being prepared for flight. (JAXA)

The Confocal Space Microscope (Confocal Microscope) is a JAXA facility launching on HTV-9 that enables fluorescence live imaging of biological samples aboard the station. Confocal microscopy eliminates out-of-focus light or glare in specimens whose thickness is greater than the immediate plane of focus.

The microscope can produce data on the fundamental nature of cellular and tissue structure and functions in real-time. When combined with the heating chamber system, the microscope enables long term 3D observation of living cells. While biological experiments are the first area of concentration, the microscope could be used for chemical studies as well.

Other investigations aboard the space station also have been exploring new types of microscopy in microgravity, including FLUMIAS-DEA, which observed samples of fixed cells and live cells using a miniaturized fluorescence microscope.

posted 05-20-2020 01:34 PM               

Japanese Cargo Vehicle Lifts Off To Resupply Station Crew

Carrying four tons of supplies, water, spare parts and experiment hardware for the Expedition 63 crew aboard the International Space Station, HTV-9 launched from Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan on Wednesday, May 20 at 1:31 p.m. EDT (2:31 a.m. Thursday, May 21, Japan time).

The cargo vehicle will arrive at the station Monday, May 25. Capture of HTV-9 is scheduled to occur around 8:15 a.m.

HTV-9 will approach the station from below and slowly make its way toward the orbital outpost. Expedition 63 commander Chris Cassidy of NASA, with assistance from Russian flight engineer Ivan Vagner of Roscosmos, will operate the station's Canadarm2 robotic arm from the station's cupola and grapple the 12-ton spacecraft.

The cargo includes six new lithium-ion batteries needed to complete an overall update of the station's electrical system. The batteries and corresponding adapter plates will replace aging nickel-hydrogen batteries for two power channels on the station's far starboard truss segment (S6) through a series of spacewalks by the station's crew members planned for later this year. This is the final set of new batteries to be launched to the station as part of an overall upgrade of its power system that began in January 2017.

posted 05-20-2020 04:51 PM               

Launch Results of the H-II Transfer Vehicle Kounotori 9 aboard H-IIB Vehicle No. 9

At exactly 31 minutes and 00 seconds past 2 o'clock on the morning of May 21, 2020, the H-II Transfer Vehicle known as "Kounotori 9" (HTV-9), the cargo transporter to the International Space Station (ISS), was launched aboard H-IIB Launch Vehicle No. 9 (H-IIB F9) from the JAXA Tanegashima Space Center.

The H-IIB F9 flight proceeded nominally. Approximately 15 minutes and 7 seconds after launch, the payload separated from the launch vehicle as planned.

JAXA expresses its sincere appreciation for the support provided by all involved.

posted 05-25-2020 07:18 AM               

HTV-9 arrives at space station

Using the International Space Station's robotic arm, Canadarm2, Expedition 63 commander Chris Cassidy, assisted by flight engineer Ivan Wagner of Roscosmos, grappled the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA) Kounotori H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV-9) on Monday (May 25) at 8:13 a.m. EDT (1213 GMT). At the time of capture, the space station and cargo spacecraft were flying 260 miles (420 kilometers) above Tanzania in Africa.

Ground controllers at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston then took over robotic arm operations and berthed HTV-9 at 10:46 a.m. EDT (1446 GMT) to the Earth-facing port of the station's Harmony module, where it will remain for two months.

posted 08-18-2020 01:00 PM               

Japan's final HTV cargo spacecraft leaves space station for fiery end

Japan's "white stork" has taken flight from the International Space Station for the last time.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA) ninth H-II Transfer Vehicle, or HTV-9, was released from its temporary perch at the end of the space station's robotic arm on Tuesday (Aug. 18) at 1:36 p.m. EDT (1736 GMT). The uncrewed cargo vehicle, which JAXA nicknamed the "Kounotori," or "white stork," will spend two more days in orbit before flight controllers in Tsukuba, Japan command an engine burn that it will send the spacecraft plunging back into Earth's atmosphere.

posted 08-20-2020 06:04 PM               

Successful re-entry of H-II Transfer Vehicle "Kounotori-9" (HTV-9)

The H-II Transfer Vehicle "Kounotori-9" (HTV-9) successfully re-entered the atmosphere after the third de-orbit maneuver at 3:40 p.m. on August 20, 2020 (Japanese Standard Time, JST).

The "Kounotori-9" has successfully accomplished its main objective to ship cargo to the International Space Station (ISS).

The estimated date/time of "Kounotori-9" re-entry and splashdown are as follows (Japanese Standard Time, JST):

• Estimated re-entry (at 120 km): Aug. 20, 2020 / 4:07 p.m.
  
• Estimated splashdown: Aug. 20, 2020 / 4:19 p.m. ~ 4:57 p.m.

Address of Dr. Yamakawa Hiroshi, President of JAXA, on the H-II Transfer Vehicle "Kounotori-9" Mission Completion

Today, on August 20, 2020, the 9th H-II Transfer Vehicle "Kounotori-9" (HTV-9) left the orbit and reentered Earth's atmosphere as scheduled. Launched from the Tanegashima Space Center on May 21, 2020, "Kounotori-9" successfully docked to the International Space Station (ISS) and transferred onboard resupply items and utilization cargoes to it. Then, loaded with trash materials from the ISS, "Kounotori-9" departed from the ISS and completed Today's reentry into the atmosphere to finish its mission.

The nine "Kounotori" transfer vehicles have been transporting not only Japanese cargo but also those of the ISS international partners since its first launch in 2009, and have played an important and indispensable role for operations and utilization of the ISS as the only spacecraft capable of transporting large-sized experiment racks to the ISS. In particular, we believe that we were able to make a significant contribution to the future stable operation of the ISS by continuously transporting the ISS's new batteries from "Kounotori-6" to "Kounotori-9" which replaced the old ones that had been used beyond their design life.

JAXA has acquired various new technologies and knowledge through the development, launch and operations of "Kounotori." In order to meet the strict safety standards imposed on spacecraft flying and approaching manned space facilities, JAXA developed the rendezvous and capture technology and applied it to "KONOTORI". This new technology has also been adopted by the U.S. resupply vehicle, and we believe it has become and international standard. Moreover, we have also achieved many results that might lead to progress of future manned space activities through technical demonstrations making use of opportunities of "Kounotori" operation, such as demonstration of the Small Re-entry Capsule (HSRC) on "Kounotori-7" and Wireless LAN Demonstration (WLD) on "Kounotori-9."

JAXA is currently developing a new resupply vehicle, the HTV-X, as a successor to the Kounotori. Based on our accumulated technologies and knowledge, we will steadily develop the HTV-X as a new resupply vehicle with improved transport capability and operability, as well as a spacecraft that can be used for cargo resupply to the manned cislunar station, Gateway.

Finally, we would like to express here our heartfelt gratitude to many officials from domestic and international organizations and many individuals who provided us with precious support and assistance to "Kounotori" missions. We would like to ask you for continued attention and support to us.