H-II Transfer Vehicle KOUNOTORI (HTV)

HTV-1 flies toward the end of its mission

HTV-1 slowly departing from the ISS（©NASA/JAXA）

After leaving the ISS orbit, the HTV-1 was successfully inserted into a planned orbit. The HTV-1 is now in a nominal solo-flight mode. The HTV-1 is scheduled to conduct three engine burns at 11:55 p.m. November 1, at 1:25 a.m. and at 5:53 a.m. November 2, respectively, with the commands sent from the HTV flight control team. With these maneuvers, the HTV-1's orbit will gradually be lowered. At around 6:25 a.m. November 2, the HTV-1 will go into the earth's atmosphere at an altitude of 120km above the earth, following the longest engine burn at 5:53 a.m. Most of the HTV-1 components are expected to be destroyed and burned out in the atmosphere; however some of its debris remnants are expected to fall within the South Pacific Ocean.

The next HTV-1 Mission update will be posted after 11:00 p.m. November 1, with coverage on status of the de-orbit maneuvers and reentry operations of the HTV-1.

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