H-II Transfer Vehicle KOUNOTORI (HTV)

Hatch closed, HTV-1 ready for departure tonight

Onboard the ISS, trash and waste loading into the HTV-1's Pressurized Logistics Carrier (PLC) was completed. The hatch of the PLC, an access door to the International Space Station (ISS), was closed at 2:32 a.m. on October 30, 2009.

Before the hatch closure, lights and smoke detectors carried and used onboard the PLC were removed and transferred to the ISS. The removed lights, which are ISS common apparatuses, were stored in the ISS as spare lights for Kibo and other modules. The removed smoke detectors were also stored in the ISS for reuse when the future HTV mission arrives at the ISS.

Later tonight, the HTV-1 will be unberthed from the ISS with the station's robotic arm (SSRMS).

The next HTV-1 Mission update will be posted from 10:00 p.m. October 30, with coverage on the unberthing of the HTV-1.

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