An H3 rocket lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan on the 26th, successfully sending Japan's new generation HTV-X unmanned cargo spacecraft into space, starting its first mission.According to a live broadcast from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the rocket ignited on time at 9:00 local time, and successfully sent the HTV-X1 spacecraft into the predetermined elliptical orbit about 14 minutes later.
As an upgraded model of the "Stork" cargo spacecraft, HTV-X is about 8 meters in length, 4.4 meters in diameter, and has a maximum payload of 6 tons.The spacecraft is specially designed for low-Earth orbit missions. It can not only transport conventional supplies, but also carry experimental samples that require cryogenic preservation. It can fly in orbit for up to one and a half years after breaking away from the space station, and has the potential to serve as a space experiment platform.
This mission is designed to deliver critical supplies to the International Space Station, including food, experimental equipment, and a small platform for extravehicular exposure experiments. According to the plan, the spacecraft will automatically dock with the International Space Station four days after launch.
During the docking period, the astronauts will complete material transfer, waste loading and installation of the experimental platform. The experimental platform will be placed outside the Japanese "Kibo" experimental module.
After the material handover is completed, the HTV-X1 spacecraft will enter a technical verification stage of about three months.During the period, the spacecraft will release a small satellite at an altitude of 500 kilometers and test new technologies such as deployable lightweight planar antennas and next-generation space solar cells. These verification projects aim to accumulate key technologies for future space missions.
JAXA said that the HTV-X series spacecraft adopts a modular design, which significantly enhances mission flexibility. Its low-temperature transportation capabilities can meet special needs such as biological experiments, and the extended time in orbit provides more possibilities for long-term space research. With the success of this first flight, HTV-X will become an important support for Japan’s space transportation system.