H-II Transfer Vehicle KOUNOTORI (HTV)

HTV-1 Approved for Proximity Operations and Final Approach

Fight Day 6 (FD6), the HTV-1 continues the far-field rendezvous flight.

Today, the International Space Station (ISS) Mission Management Team (MMT) approved the HTV-1's proximity operations and final approach. Having received the approval from the ISS program, the HTV-1 is set to perform its first Height Adjustment Maneuver (HAM) on Flight Day 7 (FD7) at 9:03 a.m. September 16.

On Flight Day 8 (FD8), after performing two more HAM burns, the HTV-1 will reach the proximity communication zone (23km from the ISS) where the HTV-1 can directly communicate with the ISS. There, the HTV-1 will establish communications with the Proximity Communication System (PROX) that is installed on the Japanese Experiment Module, Kibo, and then, the HTV-1 will continue to approach the ISS until it reaches the "Approach Initiation (AI) point", 5 km behind the ISS. The HTV-1 is scheduled to move from the AI point to a point 500 meters below the ISS (RI point) at 0:30 a.m. September 18. From the RI point, the nadir side of the ISS, the HTV-1 will slowly move upward to the ISS.

Capture of the HTV-1 by the station's robotic arm (SSRMS) is scheduled at 4:50 a.m. September 18. Berthing operations of the HTV-1 is expected to begin at 7:00 a.m. September 18.

The next HTV-1 Mission update will be posted on September 16.

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