H-II Transfer Vehicle KOUNOTORI (HTV)

H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) "Technical Demonstration Vehicle" (initial flight vehicle) arrives at Tanegashima Space Center

HTV initial flight vehicle brought into Tanegashima Space Center

On the early morning of April 23, H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) "Technical Demonstration Vehicle" (initial flight vehicle) arrived at the JAXA Tanegashima Space Center.

After departing JAXA Tsukuba Space Center on early morning of April 17, it was loaded on a freighter transported from New Tsuchiura Port by the ship heading to Tanegashima. It reached Shimama Port of Tanegashima on the early morning of April 22; it was then carried within the island through the night before it arrived at the space center on the next early morning.

The HTV initial flight vehicle will undergo the post-transport check up, then final preparation including loading the payloads, complete assembly and function check. It is now scheduled to be launched on the H-IIB launch vehicle from Tanegashima Space Station in the summer of 2009.

Arriving at Shimama Port in Tanegashima

Cargo ship carrying HTV flight vehicle, approaching Shimama Port

HTV flight vehicle berthing at the Shimama port

HTV initial flight vehicle unloaded at Shimama Port (PLC)

HTV initial flight vehicle loaded on a truck

Transported from the sea port to the space center

HTV leaving Shimama Port

HTV arriving at Tanegashima Space Center

Arriving at Tanegashima Space Center

HTV initial flight vehicle brought into the facility (Avionics Module and Propulsion Module)

HTV initial flight vehicle brought into the facility (Avionics Module and Propulsion Module)

HTV initial flight vehicle being unpacked（Avionics Module and Propulsion Module)

HTV initial flight vehicle being unpacked（Avionics Module and Propulsion Module)

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