H-II Transfer Vehicle KOUNOTORI (HTV)

Preparation of HTV "Technical Demonstration Vehicle" (initial flight vehicle) for Launch Continues

Complete stack of HTV "Technical Demonstration Vehicle"

The preparation of H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) "Technical Demonstration Vehicle" (initial flight vehicle) continues as planned at JAXA Tanegashima Space Center for its launch targeted in summer 2009.

The HTV "Technical Demonstration Vehicle" arrived at Tanegashima Space Center on early morning of April 23, and post-transport check was conducted for each component after they were brought into the Second Spacecraft and Fairing Assembly Building (SFA2). Then the payloads for the ISS were loaded to the Pressurized Logistics Carrier (PLC) and the Unpressurized Logistics Carrier (UPLC).

The PLC was loaded with supply including food and clothing and a variety of experiment samples, all packed in Cargo Transfer Bags (CTBs) and stowed in the HTV Re-supply Rack (HRR). The UPLC was loaded with the Superconducting Submilimeter-Wave Limb-Emission Sounder (SMILES), a JEM Exposed Facility (EF) Payload, and NASA's experiment payloads, attached on Exposed Pallets (EPs).

After loading the payloads, the PLC and the UPLC were assembled. Then, on June 24, the assembled logistic carriers modules were mated with an Avionics Module and a Propulsion Module to form a completely assembled HTV.

As all the modules of HTV "Technical Demonstration Vehicle" has been assembled, it will now undergo the final preparation phase for the launch, including whole stack check up and loading fuels.

A Word from HTV Project Leader

Assembly of HTV components at Tanegasima Space Center went smoothly, as we had conducted similar assembly work in December 2008 during complete assembly test at Tsukuba Space Center (TKSC).
On the other hand, accepting more than 100 pieces of payloads at Tanegashima Space Center and loading them to the carrier modules trying maintaining balance had been a completely new process for us; this was not part of conventional rockets or satellites projects. There had been some troubles, such as delayed arrival of payloads and change at the last minute; however, these are part of know-how unique to supply ship for the International Space Station (ISS), and the team is steadily acquiring experiences.

Loading the payloads

SMILES attached to the EP

EP loaded to UPLC

CTB stowed to HRR

HRR loaded to PLC

Assembling the Components

Assembling PLC and UPLC

Assembling PLC and UPLC with Avionics Module and Propulsion Module

Complete stack of HTV initial flight vehicle

Complete stack of HTV initial flight vehicle

Complete stack of HTV initial flight vehicle and the assembly workers

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