Photos: Japan's Robotic Space Cargo Ship Fleet

Kounotori2 H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV2) Grappled at the ISS

The International Space Station's Canadarm2 grapples the unpiloted Japanese Kounotori2 H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV2) as it approaches the station, Jan. 27, 2011.

Canadarm2 Reaching for Kounotori2 H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV2)

The Japanese Kounotori2 H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV2) nears the International Space Station on January 27, 2011, carrying over four tons of food and supplies to the space station. The station's Canadarm2 reaches out to attach the HTV2 to the Earth-facing port of the Harmony node.

Japan HTV-2 Launch

Japan's Kounotori 2 unmanned cargo spacecraft launches toward the International Space Station Jan. 22, 2010.

Kounotori2 Cargo Ship Readied for Launch

Japan's second robotic HTV cargo ship, the Kounotori 2, is prepared for its Jan. 22, 2011 launch from the country's Tanegashima Space Center by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Here, the craft's unpresurrized cargo section is shown.

Astronaut Stott Inside H-II Transfer Vehicle

NASA astronaut Nicole Stott, Expedition 20/21 flight engineer, moves a stowage container in the Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) docked to the Harmony node of the International Space Station, October 4, 2009.

Space Station Crew Welcomes Japan's First Cargo Ship

The station’s robotic arm attaches the unpiloted Japanese H-2 Transfer Vehicle (HTV) to the Earth-facing port of the Harmony node after its inaugural arrival on Sept. 17, 2009.

Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) Approaches the ISS

Backdropped by a blue and white part of Earth and the blackness of space, the unpiloted Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) approaches the International Space Station, Sep. 17, 2009.

Japan's First Unmanned Cargo Ship Launch

The Japanese H-2 Transfer Vehicle lifts off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan on Sept. 10, 2009 EDT (Sept. 11, 2009 Local Time) on its maiden flight to the International Space Station.

Japan Launches Space Cargo Ship on Maiden Flight

The Japanese H-2 Transfer Vehicle lifts off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan on Sept. 10, 2009 EDT (Sept. 11, 2009 Local Time) on its maiden flight to the International Space Station.

Japan to Launch New Space Freighter Today

Japan's first H-2 Transfer Vehicle and its H-2B rocket rollout out to Launch Pad-2 at the Tanegashima Space Center on Sept. 10, 2009 Local Time. It was Sept. 9 EDT at the time of rollout.