Japan's new HTV-X cargo spacecraft is scheduled for its inaugural mission to the International Space Station (ISS) today, October 25. This exciting launch can be viewed live, allowing space enthusiasts to witness the event as it unfolds. The robotic HTV-X is set to lift off atop an H3 rocket from the renowned Tanegashima Space Center at approximately 8 p.m. EDT (0000 GMT, or 9 a.m. local time in Japan on October 26).
You can catch the live launch coverage on Space.com, courtesy of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), or directly through the agency’s official channels. The coverage will commence roughly one hour before liftoff, providing viewers with insights and information leading up to the launch.
The HTV-X is the successor to JAXA's previous H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV), which is also known by its Japanese name, Kounotori, meaning "White Stork." The original HTV successfully completed nine missions to the ISS between September 2009 and May 2020. The new HTV-X, measuring 26.2 feet (8 meters) in length, is about 4 feet (1.2 meters) shorter than its predecessor, yet it retains the capability to transport a similar payload of approximately 13,200 pounds (6,000 kilograms) to low Earth orbit.
One of the most significant improvements of the HTV-X lies in its enhanced transportation capabilities. According to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which manufactures the HTV-X for JAXA, this new spacecraft can provide various users with on-orbit demonstration opportunities for up to 1.5 years after departing from the ISS until its reentry into the Earth's atmosphere. This extended operational life opens new avenues for research and experimentation in space.
The potential applications of the HTV-X extend beyond missions to the ISS. JAXA envisions this versatile spacecraft playing a crucial role in future human space activities in low Earth orbit following the ISS's operational period. Furthermore, there is the possibility that the HTV-X could be utilized to transport cargo to Gateway, a space station that NASA plans to establish in lunar orbit as part of its ambitious Artemis program.
As we await the launch of the HTV-X, the space community is abuzz with anticipation for what this new cargo spacecraft will accomplish in the coming years. Stay tuned for more updates as the mission unfolds and watch the launch live to be part of this historic moment in space exploration.
