Japanese rocket ferrying supplies to space station

TOKYO – A Japanese rocket carrying an unmanned cargo transporter to the International Space Station (ISS) blasted off Saturday, said reports from Tanegashima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAEA) has announced that the launch was a success and the cargo unit separated from the rocket as scheduled.

The H-2B rocket, originally scheduled to lift off on Thursday, was launched at 2:37 pm (0537 GMT) at Tanegashima Space Center after a two-day delay due to adverse weather conditions.

According to the JAEA, the rocket carries the HTV2 transporter, which is expected to connect with the ISS on Friday.

Also included in the cargo are equipment for use in Japan’s Kibo laboratory module, food and drinking water for astronauts.

 HTV2 Mission Overview

HTV2 Mission Summary (Updated January 22, 2011)
Item Detail
HTV Flight Number HTV2 (KOUNOTORI 2)
Launch Time 2:37:57 p.m., January 22, 2011 (JST)
Launch Site Launch Pad2 (LP2), Tanegashima Space Center (TNSC)
Capture by the SSRMS
(Scheduled Time)
8:45 p.m., January 27, 2011 (JST)
Berthing to the ISS
(Scheduled Time)
4:00 a.m., January 28, 2011 (JST)
Altitude Insertion Orbit: 200 km x 300 km (elliptical orbit)
Rendezvous: Approx. 350 km
Inclination 51.6 degrees
Payload HTV PLC KOBAIRO Rack
Multi-purpose Small Payload Rack (MSPR)
Supplies for onboard use (six HRRs)
HTV ULC Cargo Transport Container (CTC)
Flex Hose Rotary Coupler (FHRC)