H-II Transfer Vehicle KOUNOTORI (HTV)

HTV-1 Maintains Smooth Flight

Flight Day 5 (FD5), the HTV-1 is continuing the smooth flight.
Tomorrow, Flight Day 6 (FD6), the result of the HTV-1 demonstration tests will be reviewed at the ISS Mission Management Team (IMMT) meeting. In the meeting, safety and flight control abilities of the HTV-1 will be assessed based on the data collected during the demonstration tests conducted on FD3. When the IMMT gives an approval for the HTV-1's final rendezvous approach, the HTV-1 is set to perform the first Height Adjustment Maneuver (HAM) on FD7 toward the ISS.
Aboard the International Space Station (ISS), the ISS crewmembers have been performing various preparations and training for the arrival of the HTV-1 expected on September 18. So far, the crew configured the Common Berthing Mechanism (CBM) at the nadir side of the Harmony (Node2), a berthing port for the HTV-1, prepared the Extravehicular Activity (EVA) tools for a potential contingency spacewalk, and set up the equipment that will be used for the HTV berthing operations. The crewmembers, who will manipulate the station's robotic arm (SSRMS) during the capturing/berthing operations, have thoroughly simulated and reviewed the operations procedures.

The next HTV-1 Mission updates will be posted on September 15.

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