Liftoff! Japan Launches HTV-4
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]
Japan Launches HTV-4 Cargo Ship Into Space
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]
Japan Launches HTV-4 Cargo Ship Into Space
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]
HTV-4 Launch: Spacecraft Separation
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]
Kirobo in Zero-Gravity
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]
Kirobo is Small
Kirobo only stands about 13.4 inches (34 centimeters) tall. Image posted June 27, 2013. [Read the Full Story]
Kirobo: Flying to Space
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]
Inside JAXA Mission Control for HTV-4 Launch
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]
HTV No4 Payload Fairing Encapsulation
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.
HTV No4 Payload Fairing Encapsulation 2
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).
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