The first Human base on Mars will most likely run on nuclear power. The Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator aboard the Curioisity rover is too small to generate the power needed to sustain the lives of many explorers. A larger system that NASA is working on is briefly explained by Lee Mason, an engineer at the Glenn Research Center.
Credit: NASA
A problem recently discovered in two sensors in the propulsion system of the entry, descent and landing demonstrator module has prompted the recommendation to move the launch of the ExoMars 2016 mission, initially foreseen in January, to March, still within the launch window of early 2016.
Rover Tracks: Being There – Controlling Missions on Mars
Return to Jupiter
The Expanding Danger of Space Debris: Fragmentation
IMAX Hubble 3D: The Director’s Take – Exclusive Video
Moon Base Baseball? Why Not!
The Meaning of Apollo
Target: The “Fuzzies” – Galaxies, Nebulae and Comets
Ep.2: Land and Deliver
Planning the Assault: Why Bomb the Moon?
Dust Devils and Clouds on Mars
Black Holes: Warping Time & Space | Video
Orion on the Moon
Constellation on Mars
A Hotel Room in Space
CAUTION! – How to SAFELY Observe the Sun
The Legacy of Space Shuttle Atlantis
Cassini – Saturn
ISS: We may be changing the course of human destiny.
Where is ET?: SETI vs. the Fermi Paradox
Target: The Stars – Which Ones to Watch and Why
Wanted: Seven ‘Star-Travelers’ | Video
Hubble Service Mission 4 – Animation
Arsenic Eating Bacteria Hint at Alien Life
James Bond Penetrates The Very Large Telescope
On Sept. 17, 2015, NASA astronaut Scott Kelly captured images and video from the International Space Station during an early morning flyover of the United States. Sharing with his social media followers, Kelly wrote, “Clear skies over much of the USA today. #GoodMorning from @Space_Station! #YearInSpace.”
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| Sensitive new telescopes have searched for signs of advanced alien civilizations but haven’t found any. Credit: ASTRON |
Nearby galaxies in our universe show no signs of advanced alien civilizations — at least for now.
A new study that examined the most promising galaxies we can see out of a collection of 100,000 found no signs of the waste energy that such alien civilizations might generate, showing that they’re extremely rare, if not nonexistent. The galaxies were chosen because they emit a large amount of heat, but rather than being the byproduct of alien factories the emissions seem to come from less exotic, natural causes such as buildups of dust.
“Some of these systems definitely demand further investigation, but those already studied in detail turn out to have a natural astrophysical explanation,” study author Michael Garrett said in a statement. Garrett is a professor at the University of Leiden and the general and scientific director of ASTRON, the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy. [13 Ways to Find Intelligent Alien Life]
“It’s very likely that the remaining systems also fall into this category — but, of course, it’s worth checking out, just in case,” he said.
In 1964, Russian astrophysicist Nikolai Kardashev defined three levels of civilization based on their ability to harness the energy available to them. Since that time, the Kardashev scale has been expanded to include four more levels. Earth’s civilization lies very low on the scale, at about a Type 0.7, because of its ability to harness only a portion of the energy of its planet.
Earlier this year, a team of astronomers led by Jason Wright, of Pennsylvania State University, studied 100,000 galaxies that NASA’s Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) spacecraft could best observe, searching for signs of a Type III civilization capable of harnessing the energy of an entire galaxy. Such a civilization would have to be extremely advanced, capable of colonizing multiple stars within a galaxy and using the energy of all of them. Following the laws of thermodynamics, energy harnessed from this kind of technology could not be destroyed but should be radiated away in infrared wavelengths, similar to the way a computer radiates heat.
Wright’s team identified 93 sources exhibiting both extreme mid-infrared emission and colors. Garrett investigated those that had been well studied in the past, in an attempt to determine possible sources of the excessive radiation. He found that the majority of the systems created emission that could be best explained by natural astrophysical processes, such as dust generated and heated by massive star formation. He concluded that advanced civilizations capable of harnessing the power of their galaxies are scarce or nonexistent.
“The original research at Penn State has already told us that such systems are very rare, but the new analysis suggests that this is probably an understatement, and that advanced Kardashev Type III civilizations basically don’t exist in the local universe,” Garrett said in the statement.
“In my view, it means we can all sleep safely in our beds tonight — an alien invasion doesn’t seem at all likely!”
Do you believe alien life exists elsewhere in the universe?
Garrett’s technique could also help to identify less advanced Kardashev Type II civilizations, which might harness the energy output of a single star. He now plans to search for these civilizations, which may be more common than their Type III counterparts.
“It’s a bit worrying that Type III civilizations don’t seem to exist,” Garrett said. “It’s not what we would predict from the physical laws that explain so well the rest of the physical universe.”
He suggested that such civilizations could be far more energy efficient, producing very little waste heat, beyond scientists’ current understanding of physics.
“What’s important is to keep on searching for the signatures of extraterrestrial intelligence until we fully understand just what is going on,” Garrett said.
The research was detailed Sept. 15 in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics.
Follow Nola Taylor Redd on Twitter @NolaTRedd or Google+. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com.
NASA is closer to putting boots on Mars than it’s ever been before, the space agency’s chief says.
NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, a former space shuttle commander, said he envisioned becoming the first person to explore Mars when he checked in for astronaut training at Houston’s Johnson Space Center in 1980.
Back then, a crewed Red Planet mission was believed to be 30 years away, Bolden said. That proved to be an overly optimistic assessment, of course. But NASA’s current goal of getting astronauts to Mars in the 2030s is eminently achievable, Bolden added. [5 Manned Mission to Mars Ideas]
“We are farther down the path to sending humans to Mars than at any point in NASA’s history,” Bolden said Thursday (Sept. 17) during an event at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. that detailed NASA’s manned Mars plans.
NASA Deputy Administrator Dava Newman and Jim Green, director of NASA’s planetary science division, also took part in the discussion, which was webcast live on NASA TV. So did a number of NASA researchers, as well as Andy Weir, author of the sci-fi novel “The Martian,” which has been made into a movie starring Matt Damon that opens on Oct. 2.
“We have a lot of work to do to get humans to Mars, but we’ll get there,” Bolden said.
Some of this work includes developing a capsule called Orion and the Space Launch System (SLS) megarocket to help get astronauts to deep-space destinations. Orion and the SLS are scheduled to fly together for the first time, on an unmanned test flight, in 2018.
Newman cited the fact that astronauts recently grew (and ate) lettuce on the International Space Station, as part of an experiment designed to better understand the production of food crops away from Earth.
Furthermore, two crewmembers on the orbiting lab — NASA astronaut Scott Kelly and cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko — are halfway through an unpredecented yearlong mission that is characterizing the pyschological and physiological effects of long-duration spaceflight. Such work should inform planning for crewed Red Planet missions, which could take astronauts away from Earth for 500 days or more, NASA officials have said.
Newman also mentioned the Mars Oxygen ISRU Experiment (MOXIE), one of seven science instruments that NASA’s next Mars rover will carry toward the Red Planet when it blasts off in 2020.
MOXIE will pull carbon dioxide from the thin Martian atmosphere and turn it into pure oxygen and carbon monoxide, demonstrating technology that could keep settlers alive on the Red Planet — and help them blast off the surface when it’s time to go home. (Oxygen can be used as an oxidizer, helping to burn rocket fuel.)
“We’re going to make oxygen on another planet — the first time ever to make oxygen on another planet,” Newman said. “These experiments — they’re real, they’re here.”
Such work is being done in service of an epic and monumental goal.
“[Putting] boots on Mars is possibly the most exciting thing humans will ever do,” Bolden said.
“We have been engaged in getting to Mars — getting humans to Mars — for at least 40 years, beginning with the first precursors,” he added. “I have no doubt that we can accomplish what we have set our minds to do.”
Follow Mike Wall on Twitter @michaeldwall and Google+. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com.
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| On Sept. 6, 2015, astronaut Scott Kelly displayed his “boarding pass” for NASA’s Mars InSight Mission Credit: Scott Kelly (via Twitter as @StationCDRKelly) |
WASHINGTON – Halfway through his almost yearlong mission, NASA astronaut Scott Kelly spoke via satellite to an audience gathered at the National Press Club here about the things he is looking forward to, both for the remainder of his mission and once he returns to Earth.
“I feel good overall,” Kelly told the club’s president, John Hughes, who emceed the event on on Monday (Sept. 14). “I definitely recognize that I’ve been up here a long time, and I have just as long ahead of me.”
Kelly and Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Korniyenko arrived at the space station on March 27, after launching from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, with both planning to stay onboard for nearly a year. If Kelly remains until March 3, 2016, his 342-day visit will be the longest consecutive stay in orbit by a NASA astronaut. [One Year in Space: Epic Space Station Mission in Photos ]
Although four Russian or Soviet Union cosmonauts have broken the one-year mark, they did so in the 1980s and 1990s, with older equipment for studying how the long trips were affecting their bodies. In comparison, the ISS allows scientists to take ultrasounds, measure impairments in vision and study other biological changes that Kelly and Kornienko might undergo.
“Even though the Russians have flown in Mir for longer in a couple of cases, they didn’t have the technology we have today to figure this out,” Kelly said. “The ISS is also a great experiment in sustainable energy and life support, and understanding how that works and how we can maintain ourselves for longer periods of time.”
NASA has said that a primary goal with the one-year mission is to better understand how a long journey to Mars will affect the physiology and psychology of the astronauts on board.
During the interview on Monday, Kelly talked about several parts of the mission he is looking forward to, such as upcoming spacewalks to help prepare the station for docking with new commercial crew capsules being prepared by private companies Boeing and SpaceX.
On days off from space station duties, Kelly watches professional football, avidly following the Houston Texans, despite a disappointing start to their season.
“Regardless of how they do, I’m a huge fan,” he said. “We’re fortunate to have football on the space station.”
But spacewalks and football pale in comparison with Kelly’s long-term goal.
“What I’m looking most forward to is just getting to the end of this with as much enthusiasm and energy as I had in the beginning,” he said.
He added his hopes to complete all of the mission objectives and science before his mission concludes.
Remaining on the space station may make for good science, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t things about Earth that Kelly misses. He has two daughters on the planet, as well as an identical twin brother, retired astronaut Mark Kelly. The brothers said they speak regularly via the phone on the space station, and Mark will send his brother pictures of the food he is enjoying down on Earth, while Scott is stuck eating the limited cuisine options on the station.
Together, Mark and Scott are participating in several scientific investigations grouped under the title of “The Twins Study,” which will compare the changes that occur in both men (one in orbit, one on the ground) over the course of the mission.
Would You Sign Up for a Years-Long Space Mission?
In addition to family and friends, Scott Kelly also misses something a bit more basic—”just going outside,” he said.
He explained that the space station is a very closed environment, where smells and sounds tend to remain the same.
NASA astronaut Terry Virts, who also attended the news conference, spoke about a recent effort to help bring the great outdoors into the space station: The Russian command center sent audio clips of rain, wind and birds to their cosmonauts. According to Virts, at one point, the Russian crew played the clip of rain on every one of the 100 laptops aboard, playing the sound throughout the station for the entire weekend.
“Everywhere you went, it sounded like rain,” Virts said.
But hearing rain and feeling it are two different things, and Kelly anticipates being outdoors when the mission concludes.
“I think even prisoners can get outside once a week,” he joked.
Follow Nola Taylor Redd on Twitter @NolaTRedd or Google+. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebookor Google+. Originally published on Space.com.
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| An innovative plan to use “optical mining” is part of the Asteroid Provided In-Situ Supplies (Apis) concept — an ability to tap mega-amounts of water from space rocks to help establish valuable infrastructure in space. Credit: TransAstra |
PASADENA, Calif. — A new way to harvest asteroid resources is being eyed as a possible game changer for space exploration.
The patent-pending innovation, called “optical mining,” could allow huge amounts of asteroid water to be tapped, advocates say. This water, in turn, could provide relatively cheap and accessible propellant for voyaging spacecraft, lowering the cost of spaceflight significantly.
Development of the optical-mining idea has been funded by a NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) fellowship and grant, along with a small business contract. The concept — which is also known as the Asteroid Provided In-Situ Supplies plan, or Apis — was detailed here during a special NIAC session held on Sept. 2 during the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics’ (AIAA) Space 2015 meeting. [How Asteroid Mining Could Work (Infographic)]
Asteroid-mining business model
“We’re putting together a business model … one that moves reusability into space and more commercial methods and practices into deep space,” Apis principal investigator Joel Sercel, founder and principal engineer at ICS Associates Inc. and TransAstra, told Space.com.
Sercel said that Apis can support NASA’s plans for human exploration by providing mission consumables and propellant for all missions of the agency’s Evolvable Mars Campaign, including human exploration efforts to lunar orbit, crewed missions to near-Earth asteroids in their native orbits, exploration of the moon and exploration of Mars.
Sercel formerly worked at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, and was a lead innovator for the NASA Solar Technology Application Readiness (NSTAR) ion propulsion system. NSTAR powers NASA’s Dawn spacecraft, which is currently orbiting the dwarf planet Ceres.
Sercel said that the optical-mining approach aims to excavate carbonaceous chondrite asteroid surfaces and drive water and other volatile materials out of this excavated material and into an enclosing, inflatable bag, all without the need for complex or impractical robotics.
The Apis plan involves harvesting up to 100 metric tons of water from a near-Earth asteroid, and taking the material to lunar orbit or other depot locations, using only a single SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch, Sercel added.
Apis team members have already performed computer simulations and lab experiments on meteorite samples to get a better idea of how to approach the intended work in space.
Sercel and his colleagues are using their large solar furnace at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico to shed light andheat onto the idea.
Since the late 1970s, researchers have used this furnace to simulate the sudden heat generated by a nuclear explosion. The furnace makes use of two primary sets of mirrors. One large, flat set can pivot around to seize the rays of the sun and direct them though a shutter system onto the second set of mirrors, which, in turn, focuses the light and heat onto the target.
In the September-October time frame, Sercel said, the Apis team will do proof-of-concept experiments at the White Sands facility. Hardware brought to the test site will hold cantaloupe-sized asteroid simulant targets that will be superheated by reflected and concentrated sunlight.
The products of interest to Sercel are volatiles, especially water. Volalites can be harvested from rock by a process called spalling, in which tiny, explosive pops of expanding gas drive out particles and gas.
Sercel said that the New Mexico tests could show that highly concentrated optical energy excavates the surface of material in a controlled way, analogous to how intense lasers can ablate surfaces, constantly exposing new material and forcing water out of the spalled material.
“It actually digs holes and tunnels into the rock. The heat goes in, is absorbed in thin layers and drives out the volatiles in tiny, explosivelike pops that eject material in a controllable way,” Sercel said. “We believe that highly concentrated sunlight can drill holes, excavate, disrupt and shape an asteroid while the asteroid is enclosed in a containment bag.”
The Apis solar-thermal oven scheme makes use of thin-film inflatable structures stemming from work on NASA’s Asteroid Redirect Mission (ARM). The ARM plan calls for plucking a boulder off a near-Earth asteroid using a robotic probe, then hauling this chunk of rock to lunar orbit, where it could be visited by astronauts. [NASA’s Asteroid Capture Mission in Pictures]
But in the Apis case, the inflatable capture system is fabricated from high-temperature material and designed to fully enclose the target.
After the asteroid has been encapsulated and de-spun, an inflatable solar concentrator churns out direct solar-thermal energy to the asteroid surface. This heat is used to excavate the asteroid and force the water to outgas into the enclosing bag.
From there, the outgassing water is pumped into a passively cooled bag and stored as solid ice.
Asteroid Basics: A Space Rock Quiz
0 of 10 questions complete
Up to 120 tons of water, collected over several months, could be stored in this manner, Sercel said. The Apis system would then transport the harvested water to lunar orbit, using some of the asteroid water as fuel for its onboard solar-thermal propulsion system.
Once in orbit around the moon, the water can be converted into consumables and propellant to support a variety of enterprises, including human exploration beyond low-Earth orbit.
“Apis is a commercially viable approach to the extraction, processing and delivery of water from asteroids to in-space assets,” Sercel concluded.
Along with Sercel, mining experts are digging into the question of how best to extract and exploit space resources.
“After many years of dead-end investigations trying unsuccessfully to adapt terrestrial mining techniques to extract resources from asteroids in the future, we are excited to finally participate in the development of what we consider the most feasible and effective technique to recover valuable volatile elements, such as space propellants, from asteroids,” Angel Abbud-Madrid, director of the Center for Space Resources at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado, told Space.com via email.
Both Abbud-Madrid and Chris Dreyer, also from the Center for Space Resources, are working with the TransAstra team on several projects exploring the optical-mining concept.
Leonard David has been reporting on the space industry for more than five decades. He is former director of research for the National Commission on Space and is co-author of Buzz Aldrin’s 2013 book “Mission to Mars – My Vision for Space Exploration” published by National Geographic with a new updated paperback version released in May 2015. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com.
Congratulations to the top 10 and the three prize winners in ESA’s #Estrack40 audio contest
Earth observation image of the week: a Sentinel-2 image of Mississippi’s swamps, USA, also featured on the Earth from Space video programme
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The launch of the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No..29 (H-IIA F29) was set to be between 3:23 p.m. thru 5:07 p.m. on Nov. 24 (Tue.), 2015 (Japan Standard Time). |
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H-IIA F26 with the Asteroid Explorer “Hayabusa2” onboard launched at 1:22:04 p.m. on Dec 3, 2014 (JST) from the Tanegashima Space Center. |
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Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. and JAXA have decided to postpone the launch of “Hayabusa2” and piggyback payloads by the H-IIA F26 to 1:22:04 p.m. on Dec 3 (Wed. JST). The live launch report will begin at 12:25 p.m. on December 3 (Mon. , JST). The report will be broadcast through the Internet. We decided to postpone as a result of the go/no go decision meeting today which carefully checked the weather forecast and found that strong wind exceeding the weather restrictions was projected around the launch pad at the scheduled launch time on the previous schedule launch day of Dec. 1 (Mon.), 2014. |
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The launch of the Asteroid Explorer “Hayabusa2” and three micro piggyback payloads by the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 26 was rescheduled at 1:22:43 p.m. on December 1 (Mon. Japan Standard Time, JST) after carefully studying the weather conditions. |
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H-IIA Launch Vehicle No.26 with the Asteroid Explorer “Hayabusa2” onboard has been rescheduled as clouds including a freezing layer that exceeds the restrictions for suitable weather are forecast to be generated at around the scheduled launch time on November 30 (Sun.), 2014 (Japan Standard Time.) |
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The KOUNOTORI5 will leave the International Space Station (ISS) at 0:20 a.m. on September 29 (Tue.), and re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere at around 5:31 a.m. on the 30th (Wed.) to burn up. JAXA will broadcast the live report of its separation from the ISS through the Internet from around 11:50 p.m. on Sept. 28 (Mon.). Please don’t miss it! (All dates and time are Japan Standard Time.) (Photo: JAXA/NASA) |
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The “KOUNOTORI5” launched by the H-IIB F5 on Aug. 19 (Wed. Japan Standard Time) was captured by the robotic arm of the International Space Station (ISS), which was maneuvered by Astronaut Kimiya Yui, at 7:29 p.m. on August 24 (Mon. JST). The HTV5 was then successfully berthed at the ISS at 2:28 a.m. on August 25 (Tue. JST). |
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The KOUNOTORI5, a regular cargo transporter to space, was launched by the H-IIB Launch Vehicle No.5 (H-IIB F5) at 8:50:49 p.m. on August 19 (Wed.) 2015 (Japan Standard Time, JST) from the Tanegashima Space Center. The launch vehicle flew smoothly, and, at about 14 minutes and 54 seconds after liftoff, the separation of the KOUNOTORI5 was confirmed. |
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The KOUNOTORI5(HTV5)/H-IIB F5 launch was postponed to 8:50:49 p.m. on August 19 due to adverse weather. |
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The launch date of the H-IIB Launch Vehicle No. 5 carrying the KOUNOTORI5 has been postponed as unfavorable weather is forecasted. The launch was originally scheduled for August 17. The live broadcast of the launch will also be put off accordingly. |
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The launch date of the H-IIB Launch Vehicle No. 5 carrying the KOUNOTORI5 has been postponed as unfavorable weather is forecasted. The launch was originally scheduled for August 16. The live broadcast of the launch will also be put off accordingly. |
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After international coordination, the dates for capturing the KOUNOTORI5, a cargo transporter to the International Space Station (ISS), and its berthing have been respectively set as August 20 (Thu.) and 21 (Fri.) The KOUNOTORI5 is scheduled to be launched on August 16 (Sun.) from the Tahegashima Space Center. |
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On July 1, the KOUNOTORI5, a cargo transporter to the ISS, was revealed to the media at the Tanegashima Space Center. The mission was also explained there. |
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The launch date and time for the H-IIB Launch Vehicle No. 5 (H-IIB F5) with the H-II Transfer Vehicle “KOUNOTORI5” (HTV5) onboard was set for around 10:01 p.m. on August 16 (Sun.), 2015 (Japan Standard Time). |
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The KOUNOTORI4 (HTV4, a cargo transporter to the International Space Station) left the ISS on Sept. 5 and re-entered the atmosphere at 3:37 p.m. on Sept. 7 (Japan Standard Time.) |
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Schedules of departure from the International Space Station (ISS) and of re-entry to the atmosphere for the H-II Transfer Vehicle “KOUNOTORI 4” (HTV4) are determined as follows. Departure from the ISS: * The time may vary according to the actual operation. |
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The KOUNOTORI4 (HTV4, a cargo transporter to the International Space Station) was captured by the ISS robotic arm at 8:22 p.m. on August 9 (Japan Standard Time) and berthed at the ISS at 3:38 a.m. on August 10 (JST). The KOUNOTORI4 was launched by the H-IIB Launch Vehicle No.4 on August 4. ISS astronauts will take cargo out from the Pressurized and Unpressurized Logistic Carriers into the ISS. |
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The KOUNOTORI3 (HTV4, the cargo transporter to the International Space Station) launched on August 4 has been traveling to the ISS while adjusting its altitude. Between the evening on August 9 and early on the morning of August 10, the KOUNOTORI4 will make a final approach and berth at the ISS. JAXA will provide a live broadcast of its final access, capture, and berthing. |
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The H-IIB Launch Vehicle No. 4 with the KOUNOTORI4 (HTV4, a cargo transporter to the International Space Station) onboard lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center at4:48:46 a.m. on August 4 (Sun., Japan Standard Time.) |
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On June 19, the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV, a cargo transporter to the International Space Station) “KOUNOTORI4” was shown to the media at the Tanegashima Space Center (TNSC.) |
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The H-IIB Launch Vehicle No. 4 (H-IIB F4) carrying the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV4, a cargo transporter to the International Space Station) will be launched on August 4 (Sunday, Japan Standard Time.) The launch time will be around 4:48 a.m. (JST.) It will be blasted off from the Yoshinobu Launch Complex at the Tanegahsima Space Center. Why don’t you take this opportunity to come to Tanegahima to witness the liftoff at hand! |
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The KOUNOTORI3 (HTV3, a cargo transporter to the International Space Station) left the ISS on Sept. 13 and re-entered the atmosphere at 2:27 p.m. on Sept. 14 (Japan Standard Time.) |
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The H-II Transfer Vehicle “KOUNOTORI3” (HTV3,a cargo transporter to the International Space Station) will leave from the ISS at around 0:50 a.m. on Sept. 13 (Japan Standard Time, all the following dates and time are JST,) and will re-enter the atmosphere at around 2:24 p.m. on Sept. 14. |
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The re-entry schedule for the KOUNOTORI3 was set as follows after extended mooring at the International Space Station due to an additional extravascular activity. Departure from the ISS: * The time is subject to change due to actual operational status. The KOUNOTORI3 will carry a re-entry data recorder, the i-Ball, which was developed in cooperation between the public and private sectors to acquire atmosphere re-entry data as well as scenes of KOUNOTORI3’s destruction. |
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The KOUNOTORI3 (HTV3, a cargo transporter to the International Space Station) was captured by the ISS robotic arm at 9:23 p.m. on July 27 (Japan Standard Time) and berthed at the ISS at 2:31 a.m. on July 28. The KOUNOTORI3 was launched by the H-IIB Launch Vehicle No.3 on July 21. ISS astronauts will take cargo out from the Pressurized and Unpressurized Logistic Carriers into the ISS. |
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The H-IIB Launch Vehicle No. 3 with the KOUNOTORI3 (HTV3, a cargo transporter to the International Space Station) onboard lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center at 11:06:18 on July 21 (Sat., Japan Standard Time.) |
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JAXA will launch the KOUNOTORI3 (a cargo transporter to the International Space Station, ISS) by H-IIB Launch vehicle No.3 on July 21 from the Tanegashima Space Center. We have opened the KOUNOTORI3/H-IIB F3 Special Site to be ready for the launch. |
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On June 1 (Fri.), the H-II Transfer Vehicle “KOUNOTORI3” (HTV3, a cargo transporter to the International Space Station) was revealed to the media at the Spacecraft and Fairing Assembly Building 2 at the Tanegashima Space Center. The KOUNOTORI3 will be packed with food and daily necessities for astronauts aboard the ISS, test equipment for aquatic organisms, and other experiment devices including a small satellite, then will be launched by the H-IIB Launch Vehicle No. 3 at 11:18 a.m. on July 21, 2012 (Japan Standard Time.) The KOUNOTORI is currently under preparations for its journey to space. |
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The launch date and time for the H-IIB Launch Vehicle No. 3 (H-IIB F3) with the H-II Transfer Vehicle “KOUNOTORI3” (HTV3), a cargo transporter to the International Space Station, has been set to be at around 11:18 a.m. on July 21 (Sat.), 2012 (Japan Standard Time.) The launch preparation operation for the KOUNOTORI is smoothly in progress at the Tanegashima Space Center. |
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The KOUNOTORI2 (HTV2, a cargo transporter to the International Space Station,) which left the ISS at around 0:46 a.m. on March 29 (Japan Standard Time,) re-entered the atmosphere at around 12:09 p.m. on March 30 (JST.) |
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The KOUNOTORI2 (HTV2, a cargo transporter to the ISS) was detached from the International Space Station (ISS) using the ISS robotic arm at 10:29 p.m. on March 28 (Japan Standard time,) and it emitted a jet to leave the ISS after being transported to the release point at 0:46 a.m. on the 30th. |
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The KOUNOTORI2 (HTV2, a cargo transporter to the International Space Station) will depart from the ISS with used material loaded on March 29 (Japan Standard Time,) and will be slated for re-entry to the atmosphere on the 30th (JST.) JAXA will broadcast a live Internet report of the KOUNOTORI departure from the ISS from 0:00 a.m. on the 29th (JST,) then its re-entry to the atmosphere from 11:30 a.m. on the 30th (JST.) Please watch the events through the Internet! |
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The departure date of the KOUNOTORI2 (HTV2, a cargo transporter to the ISS), which is loaded with used materials, from the International Space Station (ISS) has been decided. |
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At 8:49 p.m. on March 10 (Japan Standard Time), the KOUNOTORI2 (HTV2, a cargo transporter to the International Space Station) began to be moved from the zenith port to the earth-facing port using the robotic arm of the International Space Station. At 3:55 a.m. on the 11th (JST,) KOUNOTORI2’s electric and communication systems were connected to the ISS to complete the relocation. After being loaded with used items, the KOUNOTORI2 will re-enter the atmosphere to be burned. |
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The KOUNOTORI2 (HTV2, a cargo transporter to the International Space Station), will move back to the earth-facing port of the Harmony (Node 2) from its zenith port now that the Space Shuttle Discovery left the ISS to go home on March 7 (Japan Standard Time.) The relocation is scheduled to be performed on the 10th and 11th (JST.) More cargo will be taken out of the KOUNOTORI2, then, after being packed with used materials, the KOUNOTORI2 will re-enter the atmosphere. |
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As part of preparations for the Space Shuttle Discovery’ s docking with the International Space Station (ISS,) the KOUNOTORI2 , or the HTV2, a cargo transporter to the ISS, was moved from the earth-facing port of the Harmony (Node 2) to its zenith port. This was the first time to perform such a relocation. The KOUNOTORI2 was successfully transported at 1:45 a.m. on Feb. 19 (Japan Standard Time,) and the electric cables were connected with the Harmony at 4:26 a.m. (JST) to complete its relocation. |
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The KOUNOTORI2, or the HTV2, a cargo transporter to the International Space Station (ISS) launched by the H-IIB Launch Vehicle No.2, was captured by the ISS robotic arm at around 8:41 p.m. on January 27 (Japan Standard Time,) and, at around 3:34 a.m. on the 28th (JST,) the KOUNOTORI berthed at the ISS. Cargo in the Pressurized Section will be transported to the ISS by the ISS astronauts followed by cargo in unpressurized areas. |
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The H-IIB Launch Vehicle No. 2 with the KOUNOTORI2 (HTV2, a cargo transporter to the International Space Station, ISS) onboard was launched from the Tanegashima Space Center at 2:37:57 p.m. on January 22 (Sat., Japan Standard Time.) The launch vehicle flew smoothly, and, at about 15 minutes and 13 seconds after liftoff, the separation of the KOUNOTORI2 was confirmed. |
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At the Tanegashima Space Center, all parts of the H-II Transfer Vehicle “KOUNOTORI2” (HTV2) were integrated electrically and mechanically in the end of October. Throughout November, the assembled KOUNOTORI2 has been checked as one system to confirm that no problem was found in the vehicle. |
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On November 30, JAXA showed part of the control and operation simulation of the KOUNOTORI2 to the media at the Tsukuba Space Center. The KOUNOTORI2 (HTV2) is a cargo transfer vehicle to the International Space Station (ISS.) |
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On Nov. 25, the H-II Transfer Vehicle “KOUNOTORI”2 (a cargo transporter to the International Space Station) was revealed to the media at the Spacecraft and Fairing Assembly Building No. 2 at the Tanegashima Space Center. We are engaging in preparation for the launch of the KOUNOTORI2 including propellant loading and mating with the launch vehicle. |
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“KOUNOTORI” (meaning “a white stork” in English) was chosen as the nickname of the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV, a cargo transfer vehicle to the International Space Station.) |
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The launch date and time for the H-IIB Launch Vehicle No. 2 (H-IIB F2) with the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV2) onboard was set for around 3:29 p.m. on January 20 (Thu.), 2011 (Japan Standard Time). The HTV2 is a cargo transporter to the International Space Station (ISS.) The integration of all modules of the HTV2 was completed at the Tanegashima Space Center (TNSC), and it will enter the final launch preparation phase. The H-IIB F2 has already been transported to the TNSC, and it is now being assembled there. |
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(Left) All HTV2 modules are being connected (Center) Integrated HTV2 (front side) (Right) Integrated HTV2 (back side) (Images by JAXA) On Oct. 29, we completed connecting all modules of the second H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV2, a cargo transporter to the International Space Station) electrically and mechanically at the Second Spacecraft and Fairing Assembly Building (SFA2) at the Tanegashima Space Center. The HTV2 is now in its configuration for launch. |
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The assembly operation for all modules of the second H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV, the cargo transporter to the International Space Station) started on October 6 at the second Spacecraft and Fairing Assembly Building (SFA2) at the Tanegashima Space Center. Prior to full assembly, in mid September, cargo to the ISS was loaded onto the Pressurized and Unpressurized Carriers. |
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JAXA was selected as one of 12 organizations to receive the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology award at the 39th Japan industry technology awards for its development of the HTV and H-IIB launch vehicle. |
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Since 2005, the National Institute of Science Technology Policy (NISTEP) of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) has been choosing researchers who have made significant contributions to science and technology every year to praise their efforts. In 2009, the demonstration flight of the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV, a cargo transporter to the International Space Station) was highly evaluated, and on February 9, Mr. Torano, HTV Project Manager, Mr. Koyari, Sub-project Manager, and Mr. Sasaki, Functional Manager, received a memento of the selection. |
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The H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) Demonstration Flight, which departed from the International Space Station (ISS) on October 31, re-entered the atmosphere at around 6:26 a.m. on November 2. |
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The H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) Demonstration Flight, which completed its cargo transportation mission at the International Space Station (ISS), was unberthed from the ISS by its robotic arm (SSRMS) at 0:02 a.m. on October 31 (Japan Standard Time, the following dates and times are JST.) The HTV departed from the ISS at 2:32 a.m. on the 31st. The HTV will leave the ISS orbit, and is scheduled to re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere at around 6:25 a.m. on November 2 (Mon.) |
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The H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) Demonstration Flight, which is currently berthed at the International Space Station (ISS), is scheduled to depart from the ISS at 2:30 a.m. on Oct. 31 (Sat) (Japan Standard Time, all the following days and times are in JST.) The HTV will be unberthed from the ISS by the ISS robotic arm (SSRMS) late at night on Oct. 30 (Fri) after its hatch to the ISS is closed at dawn of Oct. 30, then depart from the ISS. If everything goes smoothly, the HTV will re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere around 6:25 a.m. on Nov. 2 (Mon). We will broadcast a live report of the HTV unberthing and departure from the ISS through the Internet from 11:45 p.m. on Oct. 30 (Fri) and from 2:15 a.m. on Oct. 31 (Sat) respectively. (Sorry, the live reports are broadcasted only in the Japanese language.) Please enjoy the HTV live reports over the weekend! |
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HTV-1, being berthed to the ISS, is operating nominally. The Small Fine Arm (SFA) of the Kibo Remote Manipulator System (JEMRMS), packed in a Cargo Transfer Bag (CTB) and delivered to the ISS, was transferred from the HTV Pressurized Logistics Carrier (PLC) to Kibo on October 4. The Pressurized Stowage Resupply Rack (PSRR), also delivered on the HTV-1, was transferred to Kibo’s Experiment Logistics Module-Pressurized Section (ELM-PS) on October 14. All the cargo transfer operation from the HTV PLC to the ISS was completed on October 20. |
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Cargo unloading operations continued from the Pressurized Logistics Carrier of the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) Demonstration Flight berthed at the International Space Station (ISS). On Oct. 4, the Small Fine Arm (SFA) of the Kibo’s Robotic Arm was moved to the ISS. The SFA was transported to the ISS as it was still packed in the Cargo Transfer Bag. One unit of the Pressurized Stowage Resupply Rack will be transferred to the ISS on the 14th. |
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The Exposed Pallet of the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) Demonstration Flight was retrieved and stored back in the HTV Unpressurized Carrier at 10:20 p.m. on Sept. 25 (Japan Standard Time) by the robotic arms of the Kibo and the International Space Station (SSRMS) after its two cargoes, the experiment devices in the unpressurized environment, had been installed in the Kibo’s Exposed Facility. |
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On Sept. 24 and 25 (Japan Standard Time), two experiment devices that were shipped by the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) Demonstration Flight were unloaded from the HTV Exposed Pallet and installed onto the Exposed Facility of the Japanese Experiment Module “Kibo.” |
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At 6:06 p.m. on Sept. 23rd (Japan Standard Time, JST), the Exposed Pallet was taken out from the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) Demonstration Flight, which is now berthed at the International Space Station (ISS). The Pallet was then attached onto the Exposed Facility of the Japanese Experiment Module “Kibo” at 11:33 p.m. (JST). The experiment devices on the Pallet will be moved to be installed onto the Kibo’s Exposed Facility. (Photo by NASA) |
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The H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) Demonstration Flight, launched by the H-IIB Launch Vehicle Test Flight at 2:01 a.m. on Sept. 11 (Japan Standard Time, JST,) took almost one week to approach the International Space Station (ISS) and arrived at the Berthing Point 10 meters below the ISS at 4:27 a.m. on the 18th (JST, following times are all JST.) At 4:51 a.m., the HTV was captured by the ISS robotic arm (Space Station Remote Manipulator System, SSRMS) manipulated by the ISS crew, and it was installed onto the Common Berthing Mechanism (CBM) on the lower side (earth side) of the Harmony (Node 2) at 7:26 a.m. At 10:49 a.m., electric and communication lines were connected, and the HTV was successfully berthed at the ISS. |
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The H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) Demonstration Flight, which was launched by the H-IIB Launch Vehicle at 2:01:46 a.m. on September 11 (Fri.) has been smoothly flying on its scheduled course. Its final approach to the International Space Station (ISS) was approved at the ISS Mission Management Team (IMMT) meeting on Sept. 15, thus, from the 16th, the altitude of the HTV will be maneuvered to gradually approach the ISS. The HTV is scheduled to be berthed at the ISS on Sept. 18 (Fri.) |
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The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) Demonstration Flight aboard the H-IIB Launch Vehicle Test Flight (H-IIB TF1) at 2:01:46 a.m. on September 11, 2009 (Japan Standard Time, JST) from the Tanegashima Space Center. The launch vehicle flew smoothly, and, at about 15 minutes and 6 seconds after liftoff, the separation of the HTV Demonstration Flight was confirmed. The HTV will gradually approach the International Space Station (ISS) and berth at the ISS on the 18th (Friday, JST.) |
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On August 30, the encapsulated HTV Demonstration Flight was transported to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB.) It will be loaded onto the H-IIB Launch Vehicle to be ready for the launch on September 11. We published a promotion movie of the HTV/H-IIB mission. Please watch it before witnessing the actual launch! |
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On August 21, the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) Demonstration Flight was mated with the Payload Attach Fitting (PAF) at the Spacecraft and Fairing Assembly Building #2. |
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On July 9, the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV, a cargo transporter to the International Space Station) was opened to the press at the Spacecraft and Fairing Assembly Building #2 (SFA2) at the Tanegashima Space Center (TNSC.) |
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The H-IIB Launch Vehicle Test Flight with the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV, a cargo transporter to the International Space Station) will be launched at 2:04 a.m. on September 11 (Fri.). (*) |
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Preparations for the Demonstration Flight of the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) are underway at the Tanegashima Space Center (TNSC). In the Pressurized Logistic Carrier, life-related supplies, such as food and clothes, which were packed in the Cargo Transfer Bag (CTB) and other experiment materials were stored on the HTV Re-supply Rack (HRR) of the Carrier. In the Unpressurized Logistic Carrier, the Superconducting Submilimeter-Wave Limb-Emission Sounder (SMILES,) which is an experiment device for the Kibo’s Exposed Facility, and NASA experimental equipment were loaded onto the Exposed Pallet of the Carrier. After completing the payload loading, the two carriers were mated. |
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At dawn on April 23, the First H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) was transported from Shimama Port at Tanegashima to the Tanegashima Space Center (TNSC.) The HTV left the Tsukuba Space Center on April 17. The Pressurized Logistic Carrier, Unpressurized Logistic Carrier, the Avionics Module, and the Propulsion Module were detached for the transportation, thus they will be assembled after arrival. A final functional checkup will be held prior to the launch. |
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The first H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV), or the HTV Technology Demonstrator, left the Tsukuba Space Center at dawn on April 17, 2009, for the Tanegashima Space Center (TNSC.) After arrival, the HTV will be assembled and checked for launch by the H-IIB Launch Vehicle, which is now under testing.
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On Dec. 25, 2008, JAXA revealed the maiden H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV), an unmanned supply transfer vehicle that will fly to the International Space Station (ISS), to the press at the Tsukuba Space Center (TKSC.) It was the first press conference since assembling all the modules of the first HTV. At the press conference, the HTV and its launch by the H-IIB Launch Vehicle were explained by HTV Project Manager Yoshihiko Torano and H-IIB Launch Vehicle Project Manger Tomihisa Nakamura. The Superconducting Submilimeter-Wave Limb-Emission Sounder (SMILES,) which will be transported to the ISS by the first HTV, was also introduced by Professor Masato Shiotani of the Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere of Kyoto University. The SMILES is one of the experiment devices that will be installed onto the Exposed Facility of the Japanese Experiment Module “Kibo.” Also at the press conference, the first HTV and the SMILES undergoing an all-vehicle functional test were shown to the media at the Spacecraft Integration and Test Building at the TKSC. The modules of the cargo section (“Pressurized Carrier” and “Unpressurized Carrier,”) “Avionics Module” and “Propulsion Module” were assembled for the test. The “Exposed Pallet” loaded with a dummy cargo for the test and the SMILES were also displayed. We will conduct comprehensive functional tests with the mechanically and electrically integrated HTV, such as conductivity verification of the pipes and electric system, and other compatibility tests. The HTV is then scheduled to be transported to the Tanegashima Space Center in April, 2009, at the earliest, and be launched by the H-IIB Launch Vehicle in the summer launch season of 2009 or later. |
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On Dec. 12, all the parts of the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV,) the supply transfer vehicle to the International Space Station, were assembled for an all-vehicle functional test ahead of its first flight. They are the “Logistic Carrier Pressurized Section,” the cargo section of the “Un-pressurized Carrier,” the “Exposed Pallet,” the “Avionics Module” and the “Propellant Module.” This was the first time that all the modules were assembled. The size of the assembled HTV was about the same size as the Pressurized Module of the Japanese Experiment Module “Kibo.” The HTV will be the largest payload that JAXA has ever launched. During the all-vehicle functional test, all the modules are mechanically and electrically connected to verify their function as one piece of the vehicle such as proper pipe routing and electric conductivity. The first HTV is scheduled to be launched by the H-IIB Launch Vehicle in September 2009 at the earliest. |
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A thermal vacuum test on the first flight vehicle of the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) has been carried out at the Spacecraft Integration and Test Building at the Tsukuba Space Center. (Photo: The main part of the HTV (Avionics Module and Propulsion Module) moved into the 13-meter diameter space chamber) |
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On April 17, 2008, a press review was held for the first model H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) (Technology Demonstration Model), which is an unmanned cargo transfer spacecraft to the International Space Station. On display separately were the Pressurized Logistics Carrier for supply transportation, the Avionics Module for vehicle body control and the Propulsion Module which carries the propulsion system. When the HTV is completed and fully equipped, it will be the largest spacecraft in Japan with a length of 10 meters and a weight of 16.5 tons. After going through performance tests like the Thermal Vacuum Test and Acoustic Test, the first model HTV is scheduled for launch from Tanegashima on the H-IIB Launch Vehicle No. 1 (Test Model) in the summer of 2009. |
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Tests are currently being performed on the Proximity Communication System (PROX) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC). The PROX system will be installed in the Japanese Experiment Module “Kibo” to communicate between the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) and transmit and receive data between the International Space Station (ISS). It will also measure the relative distance and speed between the ISS and the HTV in order to support the HTV’s rendezvous with the ISS. Since last year, tests on the PROX and a compatibility test for the PROX/rack had been carried out before it went through a pre-shipping examination and was shipped out to the U.S. in January 2007. After performing several tests like the JEM/PROX compatibility test, it will be installed in the Experiment Logistics Module Pressurized Section (ELM-PS) and is scheduled for launch on Assembly Flight 1J/A at the end of February 2008. Photo1 : A general view of the PROX (Bottom right is the PROX before shipping at Tsukuba Space Center).
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On June 23, a prototype of the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) was unveiled to the press at the Tsukuba Space Center (TKSC.) The HTV is an unmanned orbital carrier to the International Space Station (ISS.) It is equipped with both the function of a “manned cargo carrier” for ISS crews to actually embark and carry out supportive work on it and the function of an “inter-orbital carrier” to perform “inter-orbit transportation to a selected attitude,” “rendezvous flights to the ISS,” and “re-entry” to aim to acquire the necessary technology for autonomous activities in space. The prototype will be used for various environment tests to make sure it can bear the extreme temperatures in space and acoustic and vibration environment at the time of launch. Through the tests, the project team will verify basic design data, and incorporate test results into future development. Outline of the HTV project
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Each module of the Space Station including the Japan Experiment Module has a “debris bumper” for protecting itself from losing its functions by colliding with space debris. Upper Photo: A mockup for the verification (The thick wall on the right is a solar array panel.) |
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HTV is about four meters in diameter and a bit shorter than 10 meters in length. In other words, its size can be explained as a container that could accommodate a sightseeing bus. In the process of developing HTV, therefore, it is divided into four modules namely Logistic Carrier Pressurized section, Logistic Carrier Un-Pressurized section, Avionics module, and Propulsion module. Thermal structural test models are being manufactured for each module. A thermal structural test model is a mimic model to test it in simulated harsh launch and space environments for checking acoustic condition, vibration, shock at separation and endurance in the space. The main structure is in conical semi-monocoque structure based on a launch vehicle design, and four modules will be assembled at the final fabrication phase and be tested for evaluating comprehensive strength and stiffness. Furthermore, tests for evaluating strength, pressure, acoustic data, shock, and heat balance, and acquisition of resonance frequency will be carried out to collect data for specifying environmental conditions of onboard loads and to find environmental characteristics data. The series of these tests will start in the next fiscal year. Upper Photo: Structural Thermal Test Model for Main Structure |
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After HTV’s arrival to International Space Station (ISS), Exposed Pallet is taken out of HTV, and cargoes are replaced by robotic arm. This Exposed Pallet has rollers on its sides to minimize the friction and to keep the position accurately when it is brought back to HTV. Upper Photo: Setup for the rotation test in vacuum heat chamber |
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Post Development Review of HTV Pressurized Carrier Aft Dome Photo: HTV Delta-PDR Pre-Board Panel |
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Post Development Review of HTV Pressurized Carrier Aft Dome A pressurized carrier equipped in HTV was designed based on the JEM Experiment Logistics Module Pressurized Section (ELM-PS). NASDA determined to use a newly designed integral molded structure for the Aft Dome of pressurized carrier to reduce the weight of 260 kg and the similar structure has already been used by the propellant tanks of Launch vehicles. Similar to H-IIA rocket, MAN-Technologie in Germany took the charge of the development under the supervision of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries LTD. Through this development, MAN-Technologie cleared the manufacturing problems such as thickness, welding, strength, etc., and completed them successfully. The photo shows a manufacturing sample that will be used for following engineering tests in Japan. After this review, NASDA will start manufacturing of the Flight Model and mass production. Photo: Aft Dome Structure for HTV Pressurized Carrier Engineering Test |
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Succeeding to the previous tests conducted from April 18 to 20, 2000, NASDA/NASA/CSA conducted a series of real-time HTV capturing operation tests with expanded SSRMS conditions, evaluators, and facility by following schedule. |
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When crew enters HTV pressurized carrier berthed to ISS, it is necessary to circulate atmosphere in pressured cabin. The fan system for air circulation should meet several requirements such as large flow rate, low noise, lightweight, compact size, and high durability for severe environment during launch. Because each HTV mission period is relatively short, NASDA plans to develop a new air circulation fan system that is appropriate to HTV requirements. Photo: Test Setup |
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The Pre-Shipping Review (PSR) for 28 R-1E thrusters, that will be used for HTV attitude control was held by Primex Space Systems Co. in the United States. These thrusters will be delivered to Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co. Then after used in System Firing Test (SFT) in which NASDA confirms the Propulsion-system performance, they will be installed to the first HTV. Photo: 28 sets of R-1E thruster (Offered by Primex Space Systems Co.) |
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HTV has two carrier sections, one is a pressurized section which carries the logistics to ISS pressurized section and another is an un-pressurized section which carries experiment devices in ISS exposed section. The exposed experiment devices will be taken out from un-pressurized section with exposed pallet by ISS manipulator (SSRMS). |
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HTV will perform autonomous rendezvous flight to the ISS, however, in the final operation, HTV will be captured by ISS manipulator system (SSRMS) controlled by ISS crew and be berthed to the ISS. Such operation is a peculiar requirement for HTV and we must confirm that it can be certainly captured by ISS crew within the limited time. Photo: HTV Capture Real-Time Crew Evaluation (offered by MD-R) |
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In this month, NASA held the following safety review panel toconfirm the HTV safeness regarding to the International Space Station. Photo: Safety Review Panel Members |
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PDR (Preliminary Design Review) for SIGI (Space Integrated GPSR/IMU) which is most important sensor of HTV Guidance and Navigation System was conducted at Honeywell co. in Tampa, Florida in United States from Dec. 9 to 10. Figure: HTV Guidance and Control Schematic |
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PDR (Preliminary Design Review) for Rendezvous Sensor which to be used during the HTV final approach was conducted at Daimler Chrysler Jena-Optronik in Jena, Germany from Nov.15 to 18. This sensor will also be used for ATV(Autonomous Transfer Vehicle) being developed by ESA. The figure: rendezous sensor function during final approach |
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NASDA conducted the Approach/Release (Rendezvous) Flight Technology Test on the ETS-VII, which has close relation to the HTV rendezvous technology from Oct. 26 to 27. |
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NASDA held two major review meetings. One was the HTV Phase 1 Safety Review, which examined the HTV design from the point of safety. The another was HTV Preliminary Design Review (PDR), which examined the HTV design from the point of technique. |
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The documents for PDR (Preliminary Design Review), which will be conducted from July 15th to September 3rd have been released. These documents have also been sent to NASA, CSA, and ESA in the end of June. |
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