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HTV Kounotori

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description HTV Kounotori Overview

The H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV), nicknamed Kounotori, was an uncrewed cargo spacecraft developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). It was designed to resupply the International Space Station (ISS) with pressurized and unpressurized cargo, water, and experiment racks. Between 2009 and 2020, nine HTV missions successfully launched atop H-IIB rockets, delivering vital supplies to the station's crew. The spacecraft burned up in the atmosphere upon reentry after each mission, serving as a disposal mechanism for ISS waste.

help HTV Kounotori FAQ

What does Kounotori mean?

Kounotori is Japanese for 'white stork,' chosen as the name for JAXA's H-II Transfer Vehicle. The name reflects the spacecraft's role in delivering supplies to the International Space Station. The stork imagery was meant to symbolize the delivery of goods from Earth to the ISS.

How many Kounotori missions flew to the ISS?

JAXA flew nine HTV missions to the International Space Station, designated HTV-1 through HTV-9, spanning from the first launch in 2009 to the final mission in 2020. Each mission delivered cargo, water, experiments, and propellant. The program was retired and replaced by the newer HTV-X spacecraft.

What replaced the HTV Kounotori after it was retired?

JAXA developed the HTV-X as the successor to the original Kounotori, designed to be cheaper and more capable than its predecessor. The HTV-X program is intended to continue Japan's contribution to ISS resupply logistics. The transition reflects a broader trend toward more cost-effective cargo vehicles.

Did Kounotori carry external payloads to the ISS?

Yes, one of the HTV's distinguishing features was its ability to carry unpressurized external payloads, such as replacement batteries and orbital replacement units, to the exterior of the ISS. The spacecraft used a robotic arm to transfer these items. This capability made it uniquely valuable among ISS cargo vehicles.

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