H-II Transfer Vehicle KOUNOTORI (HTV)

HTV Exposed Pallet returned back into HTV Unpressurized Logistics Carrier

The EP was reinstalled into the ULC

On Flight Day 16 (FD16), robotics operations to re-stow the HTV Exposed Pallet (EP) in the HTV Unpressurized Logistics Carrier (ULC) began at 6:07 p.m. September 25.

The EP was unberthed from Kibo's Exposed Facility (EF) with Kibo's robotic arm (JEMRMS) at 6:07 p.m. The EP was then handed off to the station's robotic arm (SSRMS) from the JEMRMS, and at 10:20 p.m., the EP was reinstalled into the ULC with the SSRMS.

The robotic operations to reinstall the EP into the ULC required the ISS crew member's delicate and fine robotic manipulation. The ISS crewmember deftly maneuvered the SSRMS, and flawlessly inserted the EP into the aperture of the ULC.

With the completion of this EP reinstallation, all the activities planned outside of the ISS during the HTV-1's berthed operation were finished.
Aboard the ISS, the ISS crew members will continue transfer operation between the HTV Pressurized Logistics Carrier (PLC) and the ISS. After all the supplies are unloaded from the PLC, the PLC will then be loaded with trash and other discarded items from the ISS.

The HTV-1's departure and reentry are expected at the beginning of this November. The HTV-1 Mission schedule will vary depending on the HTV-1 mission progress and the ISS operations timeline.

We will have the next HTV-1 Mission update before the ISS crew will begin the HTV-1's unberthing preparation, or earlier if any unscheduled events occurs.

The EP was unberthed from Kibo's EF and was reinstalled into the ULC.

The EP was unberthed from Kibo's EF with JEMRMS

The EP being grappled by the SSRMS

The EP being grappled by the SSRMS

The EP being grappled by the SSRMS

The EP was reinstalled into the ULC

The EP was reinstalled into the ULC

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