1 of 32
Japan HTV-4 Cargo Ship: Docking Day
Credit: NASA TV
The HTV-4 (Kounotori 4) cargo ship built by Japan's space agency is in docking position at International Space Station in this still from a NASA TV broadcast on Aug. 9, 2013. The spacecraft carried just over 3.5 tons of supplies to the station's crew.
2 of 32
Japan HTV-4 Cargo Ship Near ISS
Credit: NASA TV
The unmanned Japanese cargo ship HTV-4 (Konoutori 4) hovers near the International Space Station during rendezvous and docking operations on Aug. 9, 2013. The spacecraft is carrying 3.5 tons of supplies and gear for the space station crew.
3 of 32
HTV-4 Arrival at Space Station: Grapple
Credit: NASA TV
The International Space Station's robotic arm is in grapple position to grab Japan's robotic HTV-4 cargo ship in this still from a NASA TV broadcast on Aug. 9, 2013.The HTV-4 cargo ship is carrying 3.5 tons of supplies and gear for the station crew.
4 of 32
Japan's HTV-4 Cargo Ship: Robot Arm's View
Credit: NASA TV
This view of Japan's HTV-4 robotic cargo ship shows the spacecraft as it appears through a camera on the International Space Station's robotic arm on Aug. 9, 2013 during rendezvous and docking operations. The HTV-4 is carrying 3.5 tons of supplies, spare parts and gear for the space station's crew.
5 of 32
Japan's HTV-4 Cargo Ship Nears Space Station
Credit: NASA TV
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's HTV-4 (Kounotori 4) cargo ship nears the International Space Station and is seen in a camera rendezvous system in this NASA view from Aug. 9, 2013. The spacecrat carried just over 3.5 tons of supplies to the station's crew.
6 of 32
Japan's New Cargo Vehicle Docks at ISS
Credit: NASA TV
The latest Japanese cargo vehicle, HTV-4 (Kounotori 4), arrived at the International Space Station on August 9, 2013. In this still video image, the spacecraft has been grappled for mating to the space station.
7 of 32
Berthing Lights Shine During HTV-4 Docking
Credit: NASA TV
These berthing lights permit human operators to dock the Japanese cargo ship, HTV-4, to the International Space Station on August 9, 2013.
8 of 32
HTV-4 Above Earth
Credit: NASA TV
The Japanese cargo ship HTV-4 floats above the Earth as it is mated to the International Space Station, August 9, 2013.
9 of 32
Japan's New Cargo Vehicle Docks at ISS #2
Credit: NASA TV
The latest Japanese cargo vehicle, HTV-4 (Kounotori 4), arrived at the International Space Station on August 9, 2013. In this still video image, the spacecraft has been grappled for mating to the space station.
10 of 32
ISS Crew Members Dock Japanese Cargo Vehicle
Credit: NASA TV
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station work to dock the Japanese cargo vehicle, HTV-4 (Kounotori 4) on August 9, 2013. Astronaut Nyberg floats in the foreground.
11 of 32
Robotic Arm Holds HTV-4
Credit: NASA TV
The robotic arm of the International Space Station grappled the Japanese cargo vehicle, HTV-4, for mating to the station on August 9, 2013.
12 of 32
Liftoff! Japan Launches HTV-4
Credit: NASA TV/JAXA
A Japanese H-2B rocket launches the HTV-4 (Kounotori 4) robotic cargo ship toward the International Space Station on Aug. 4, 2013 Japan Standard Time (Aug. 3, 2013 EDT/GMT) from Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan. [
Read the Full Story]
13 of 32
Japan Launches HTV-4 Cargo Ship Into Space
Credit: NASA TV/JAXA
A Japanese H-2B rocket streaks toward orbit carrying the HTV-4 (Kounotori 4) robotic cargo ship to the International Space Station on Aug. 4, 2013 Japan Standard Time (Aug. 3, 2013 EDT/GMT) from Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan. [
Read the Full Story]
14 of 32
Japan Launches HTV-4 Cargo Ship Into Space
Credit: NASA TV/JAXA
The H-2 Transfer Vehicle launches atop an H-2B launch vehicle from the Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan at 3:48 p.m. EDT Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, (4:48 a.m. Sunday, Japan time). [
Read the Full Story]
15 of 32
HTV-4 Launch: Spacecraft Separation
Credit: NASA TV/JAXA
The H-2 Transfer Vehicle-4 separates from the H-2B launch vehicle second stage after launching on Aug. 3, 2013 EDT. [
Read the Full Story]
16 of 32
Kirobo in Zero-Gravity
Credit: Kibo Robot Project
Kirobo was put through a series of zero-gravity and other safety tests before it was deemed ready for flight. Image posted June 27, 2013. [
Read the Full Story]
17 of 32
Kirobo is Small
Credit: Kibo Robot Project
Kirobo only stands about 13.4 inches (34 centimeters) tall. Image posted June 27, 2013. [
Read the Full Story]
18 of 32
Kirobo: Flying to Space
Credit: Kibo Robot Project
Kirobo will take part in the first robot-to-human conversation with veteran Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata when they are both onboard the space station in December 2013. Kirobo will launch on Aug. 4, 2013. Image posted June 27, 2013. [
Read the Full Story]
19 of 32
Inside JAXA Mission Control for HTV-4 Launch
Credit: NASA TV/JAXA
Launch controllers at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Tanegashima Space Center look on as the country's unmanned HTV-4 cargo ship launches toward the International Space Station on Aug. 4, 2013 Japan Standard Time (Aug. 3 EDT/GMT). [
Read the Full Story]
20 of 32
HTV No4 Payload Fairing Encapsulation
Credit: JAXA
On July 11, 2013, the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) KOUNOTORI4 was mated with the Payload Attach Fitting (PAF) that is used for attaching the HTV and H-IIB launch vehicle at the Spacecraft and Fairing Assembly Building #2 (SFA2), at Tanegashima Space Center, Japan.
21 of 32
HTV No4 Payload Fairing Encapsulation 2
Credit: JAXA
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) will launch the H-IIB Launch Vehicle No. 4 (H-IIB F4) with the H-II Transfer Vehicle "KOUNOTORI4" (HTV4, a cargo transporter to the International Space Station).
22 of 32
HTV No4 Payload Fairing Encapsulation Near Complete
Credit: JAXA
HTV No4 spacecraft is almost encapsulated inside the payload fairing, July 13, 2013.
23 of 32
Workers Dwarfed by HTV No4 Payload Fairing Encapsulation
Credit: JAXA
Workers are dwarfed by the HTV No4 payload fairing encapsulation on July 13, 2013.
24 of 32
Workers on Ramp by HTV No4 Payload Fairing Encapsulation
Credit: JAXA
Workers stand on a ramp during HTV No4 payload fairing encapsulation on July 13, 2013.
25 of 32
HTV No4 Payload Fairing Encapsulation (High Angle)
Credit: JAXA
Looking down on HTV No4 during payload fairing encapsulation on July 13, 2013.
26 of 32
HTV No4 Payload Attach Fitting 2
Credit: JAXA
HTV No4 moves into place for payload fairing encapsulation on July 11, 2013.
27 of 32
Workers Underneath HTV No4
Credit: JAXA
Workers attach fitting to the underside of HTV No4 spacecraft on July 11, 2013.
28 of 32
HTV No4 Payload Attach Fitting
Credit: JAXA
HTV No4 payload hangs in the air on July 11, 2013.
29 of 32
HTV No4 Payload Attach Fitting
Credit: JAXA
HTV No4 is moved into place for payload fairing encapsulation on July 11, 2013.
30 of 32
KOUNOTORI4 Spacecraft Transported to the Vehicle Assembly Building
Credit: JAXA
On July 20, 2013, Japan's encapsulated KOUNOTORI4 was transported from the Second Spacecraft and Fairing Assembly Building (SFA2) to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). KOUNOTORI4 was installed onto the H-IIB launch vehicle.
31 of 32
KOUNOTORI4 Lifted to Top of VAB
Credit: JAXA
On July 20, 2013, Japan's encapsulated KOUNOTORI4 was transported from the Second Spacecraft and Fairing Assembly Building (SFA2) to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). KOUNOTORI4 was installed onto the H-IIB launch vehicle.
32 of 32
KOUNOTORI4 Installed Onto H-IIB Launch Vehicle
Credit: JAXA
On July 20, 2013, Japan's encapsulated KOUNOTORI4 was transported from the Second Spacecraft and Fairing Assembly Building (SFA2) to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). KOUNOTORI4 was installed onto the H-IIB launch vehicle.
