H-II Transfer Vehicle KOUNOTORI (HTV)

ISS Crew Installs New Science Experiment Racks in Kibo and Transfers the Exposed Pallet to Kibo's Exposed Facility

Exposed Pallet (Right) being installed on Kibo's Exposed Facility (EF) (Photo Credit: JAXA/NASA)

Cargo transfer between KOUNOTORI2's Pressurized Logistics Carrier (PLC) and the ISS began on January 31.

KOBAIRO Rack in PM (Photo Credit: JAXA/NASA)

The Multi-purpose Small Payload Rack (MSPR) and the KOBAIRO Rack were transferred into Kibo's Pressurized Module (PM). The ISS crew completed installation of the MSPR at 0:51 a.m., and the KOBAIRO Rack at 3:20 a.m., February 1.

Preparation for activation of the KOBAIRO Rack will begin on February 2. Checkout activities on the KOBAIRO Rack will begin on February 3.

Besides the rack transfer/installation activities, the ISS crew performed preparation for robotic transfer of the Exposed Pallet (EP).

Transfer of the Exposed Pallet (EP) by the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) began at 5:54 p.m., February 1. The SSRMS removed the EP from the Unpressurized Logistics Carrier (ULC) of KOUNOTORI2. The EP was handed off to Kibo's robotic arm (JEM Remote Manipulator System: JEMRMS) and then firmly attached to Kibo's Exposed Facility (EF) at 8:57 p.m., February 1, 2011.

The Cargo Transport Container (CTC) and the Flex Hose Rotary Coupler (FHRC) carried on the EP will be transferred to their planned storage locations outside of the ISS by DEXTER, the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM), on February 4, 2011.

*All times are Japan Standard Time (JST. UTC + 9 hours)