H-II Transfer Vehicle KOUNOTORI (HTV)

KOUNOTORI2 Mission Activities Continue Smoothly

Aboard the International Space Station (ISS), the ISS crew continues to unload the pressurized cargo delivered by the KOUNOTORI2.

Of all the Cargo Transfer Bags (CTBs) carried on the Pressurized Logistics Carrier (PLC) of the KOUNOTORI2, 71% of them have already transferred to the ISS. Besides the unpacking activities, the ISS crew is also loading trash bags into the PLC. Of all the waste and discarded items listed on a trash list, 40 percent of them have loaded into the PLC.

On February 18, the ISS crew will perform relocation of the KOUNOTORI2 using the SSRMS. This relocation is a preparation for arrival and docking of Discovery (STS-133), which is currently scheduled to launch on February 25. If the KOUNOTORI2 stayed in its current position, the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) will not be able to remove and transfer the payloads in Discovery's payload bay. The KOUNOTORI2 will be moved from the Common Berthing Mechanism (CBM) at the nadir port of Harmony to the zenith port of Harmony with the SSRMS manipulated by the ISS crew. After Discovery undocks from the ISS, the KOUNOTIORI2 will be returned to the Earth-facing port of Harmony.

The KOUNOTORI2's relocation by the SSRMS will begin at 8:30 p.m. on February 18. The relocation is expected to be completed around 6:00 a.m. on February 19.

Discovery (STS-133) being docked to the ISS (Image Credit: JAXA/NASA)

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