Updates JAXA's HTV-2 "Kounotori 2"

[Orbinaut Pete]

Here's the HTV-2 mission patch!

 

[Izack]

Cool. You don't usually get such detailed patches.

 

[orb]

JAXA: KOUNOTORI2/H-IIB Launch Veicle No.2 Special Site:

December 14, 2010 Updated
KOUNOTORI2 system checkup completed

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.

After a thorough inspection, propellants were loaded onto the KOUNOTORI2 tanks, and currently the tank pressure is being adjusted. Preparation for launch is smoothly progressing.

The final launch preparation including battery charge and loading onto the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No.2 will now be carried out for the KOUNOTORI2. (Photo: Propellant loading onto the KOUNOTORI2)

 

[orb]

JAXA: KOUNOTORI2/H-IIB Launch Veicle No.2 Special Site:

December 16, 2010 Updated
H-IIB F2 cryogenic test completed

On December 16, JAXA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. conducted a cryogenic test of the H-IIB Launch Vehicle No. 2 (H-IIB F2) at the Tanegashima Space Center. The launch vehicle and the ground system were connected for the test and all the launch operation procedures just prior to ignition were simulated in the same manner as on the launch day. As a result, no problem was found in functions and data of the launch vehicle and the ground system. We will thus move forward to be ready for launch.

BTW. There's higher resolution mission patch on JAXA site. You can view it by clicking on the thumbnail below:

​

 

[orb]

JAXA: KOUNOTORI2/H-IIB Launch Veicle No.2 Special Site > Messages from Project Managers.

 

[orb]

JAXA: KOUNOTORI2/H-IIB Launch Veicle No.2 Special Site:

January 6, 2011 Updated
Preparations for loading KOUNOTORI2 onto H-IIB F2

JAXA has confirmed that no problem exists in the launch preparations of the “KOUNOTORI2” (HTV2, a cargo transporter to the International Space Station), through propellant loading operations and visual inspections at Spacecraft and Fairing Assembly Building No.2 at the Tanegashima Space Center.

On Dec. 23, 2010, the KOUNOTORI2 was mated with the Payload Attach Fitting (PAF), which is a step for being attached to the launch vehicle, to be ready for loading aboard the H-IIB Launch Vehicle No. 2 (H-IIB F2). Then, between Dec. 25 and 29, the KOUNOTORI2 on the PAF was covered by a fairing (a protective shroud for the payload on the top of the launch vehicle.)

We are now in final preparations for the launch including the loading operation of the encapsulated KOUNOTORI2 onto the H-IIB F2. (Photo: KOUNOTORI2 encapsulation)

Click here for full size photo of KOUNOTORI2 encapsulation (3648 x 2736 - JPEG 3.7 MB)​

 

[orb]

On Jan. 7, HTV-2 KOUNOTORI2 was transfered from the Fairing Assembly Building No.2 to VAB for integration with the H-IIB F2 rocket. Here are some pictures:

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Click on the images to view their larger versions​

(1800 x 1200 px)​

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(1200 x 1800 px)​

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(1840 x 1224 px)​

Movement of the encapsulated HTV-2 KOUNOTORI2 to VAB. (Credit: JAXA)​

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Stacking on the H-IIB F2 rocket. (Credit: JAXA)​

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HTV Mission Control Room. (Credit: JAXA)​

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[Orbinaut Pete]

NanoRacks Payloads Go for Transport to ISS via JAXA.

January 12, 2011—NanoRacks, LLC is pleased to announce that JAXA has loaded our three payloads onto the HTV-2 transfer vehicle carrying cargo to the International Space Station.

The three NanoRacks payloads are those from Valley Christian School, Ohio State University and a NanoRacks research facility hardware.

The launch of the H-IIB launch vehicle will take place from the Yoshinobu Launch Complex at the Tanegashima Space Center. Current launch time is January 20th, 3:29 PM (15:29) Japanese time. That is January 19th 10:29 West Coast time or January 20th 1:29 AM on the East Coast.

The launch will be streamed by JAXA at
http://www.jaxa.jp/countdown/h2bf2/overview/h2b_e.html

We thank both JAXA and NASA for working to include our payload on this mission.

NanoRacks LLC is dedicated to provide low-cost, regular access to the U.S. National Laboratory onboard the International Space Station. We now have two research platforms onboard the U.S. National Laboratory which can house plug and play payloads using the CubeSat form factor. Our current signed customer pipeline of over 50 payloads includes domestic and international schools, research organizations and government organizations. For further information:
www.nanoracks.us

Source (PDF).

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

KOUNOTORI2/H-IIB F2 live launch broadcast starts at 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 20!

JAXA will broadcast a live launch report of the KOUNOTORI2/H-IIB Launch Vehicle No.2 from 2:30 p.m. on January 20 (Thur.) You can watch the live report at public viewing sites including JAXA offices and science museums as well as through cable TV and some websites. Why don’t you watch the live launch with us?

Broadcast Schedule

1. KOUNOTORI2(HTV2)/H-IIB No.2 Launch:
   from 2:30 p.m. on January 20 (Thu, JST) (for one and a half hours)
2. Final Approach to the ISS, Capture by the SSRMS:
   from 7:50 p.m. on January 27 (Thu, JST) (for one hour)
3. HTV docking with the ISS:
   from 10:30 p.m. on January 27 (Thu, JST) (for one hour)

 

[orb]

Why don’t you watch the live launch with us?

But if you want to watch it on NASA TV instead, here's the schedule:

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EST​

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UTC​

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Description​

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Channel​

{colsp=4}January 20, Thursday

1 a.m. 

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|06:00 

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|ISS “Kounotori” HTV-2 Launch Coverage (launch scheduled at 1:29 a.m. ET / 06:29 UTC) - JSC via Tanegashima, Japan| Public and Media 

{colsp=4}January 27, Thursday

6 a.m.

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|11:00

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|ISS “Kounotori” HTV-2 Grapple Coverage (grapple scheduled at 6:44 a.m. ET / 11:44 UTC) - JSC| Public and Media

9 a.m.

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|14:00

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|ISS “Kounotori" HTV-2 Berthing Coverage (berthing begins around 9:15 a.m. ET / 14:15 UTC and runs through about 11:15 a.m. ET / 16:15 UTC; will replace ISS Update) - JSC| Public and Media[/table]​

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

JAXA's HTV-2 press kit is now online! (PDF, 8.91 MB.)

 

[orb]

JAXA released a new video regarding HTV and HTV-2:

H-II Transfer Vehicle "KOUNOTORI"2 (HTV2) - To the future and beyond

​

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

NASA TV To Broadcast Japanese Cargo Craft Flight To Space Station.

NASA plans live television coverage of the launch, grapple and berthing of the second unpiloted Japanese cargo ship that will deliver more than four tons of food and supplies to the International Space Station.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is scheduled to launch an H-IIB rocket from the Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan at 12:29 a.m. CST (3:29 p.m. Japan time) on Thursday, Jan. 20. The launch vehicle will send the Kounotori2 H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV2) into orbit on a week-long rendezvous with the station. "Kounotori" is the Japanese word for white stork, emblematic of delivering happiness and joy.

On Jan. 27, Expedition 26 Flight Engineers Cady Coleman and Paolo Nespoli will command the station's robotic arm, Canadarm2, to reach out, grapple Kounotori2, and attach it to the Earth-facing port of the Harmony module.

In the following days, a pallet loaded with spare station parts will be extracted from a slot in the cargo ship and attached to an experiment platform outside the Japanese Kibo module. Other cargo will be transferred internally to the station.

The cargo vehicle will be filled with trash, detached from the station and sent to burn up in the Earth's atmosphere at the end of March.


NASA Television's programming schedule for HTV2 events includes (all times CST):


Thursday, Jan. 20:

12 a.m. -- Launch coverage, anchored from NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, begins. Launch is scheduled at 12:29 a.m.


Thursday, Jan. 27:

5 a.m. -- Grapple coverage, anchored from Johnson, begins. The grapple of HTV2 is scheduled at 5:44 a.m.

8 a.m. -- Berthing coverage, anchored from Johnson, begins. The attachment should be complete at approximately 10 a.m.


For more information about Kounotori2 and the H-IIB launch vehicle, visit:
www.jaxa.jp/countdown/h2bf2/index_e.html

For more information about the International Space Station, visit:
www.nasa.gov/station

For NASA TV downlink, schedule and streaming video information, visit:
www.nasa.gov/ntv

 

[orb]

I can't believe I haven't posted a link to calendar event for this launch yet.

Here it is, and here you can request a reminder for it.

The precise targeted time for launch is set to 06:29:19 UTC.

Tangeshima Space Center Web Camera
(This picture is automatically updated at intervals.
Refresh the page to see the latest image.)

 

[SiberianTiger]

Launch is postponed for at least two days...

January 19, 2011 Updated
KOUNOTORI2/H-IIB F2 launch delay

The launch of the H-IIB Launch Vehicle No. 2 with the KOUNOTORI2 (HTV2, a cargo transporter to the International Space Station) has been postponed as unfavorable weather is forecast around the launch time. The new launch day will be no earlier than January 22 (Sat.,) 2011 (Japan Standard Time, JST).
The launch was originally scheduled for 3:29:19 p.m. on January 20 (Thur.,) 2011 (JST.)
We will announce the new launch day and time as soon as it is decided.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Spaceflight Now: "Poor weather forecast delays Japanese cargo mission".

Florida Today: "KSC cargo teams reset for a new era".

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

New Launch Date and Time of H-IIB Launch Vehicle No. 2 with KOUNOTORI2 (HTV2) Onboard.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has announced the postponement of the H-IIB Launch Vehicle No. 2 (H-IIB F2) launch with the KOUNOTORI2 (HTV2, a cargo transporter to the International Space Station) onboard from the Tanegashima Space Center to no earlier than January 22 (Japan Standard Time) due to an unfavorable weather forecast.

After examining the weather conditions and the preparation status, we decided to set the new launch date for 2:37:57 p.m. on January 22 (Sat.,) 2011 (JST.)

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NASA Updates Broadcast Plans For Japanese Cargo Flight To Station.

The launch of the H-II Transfer Vehicle "Kounotori2" (HTV2) planned for Thursday, Jan. 20, was rescheduled due to a forecast for weather conditions that would exceed launch restrictions. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency reset the launch for 11:37 p.m. CST on Friday, Jan. 21.

NASA still plans live television coverage of the launch from Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan. With an adjusted rendezvous plan, the grapple and attachment of the cargo ship to the International Space Station remain planned for Thursday, Jan. 27, and also will be covered live on NASA Television.

NASA TV's updated programming schedule for HTV2 events includes (all times CST):

Friday, Jan. 21:
11 p.m. -- Launch coverage, anchored from NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, begins. Launch is scheduled at 11:37 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 27:
5 a.m. -- Grapple coverage, anchored from Johnson, begins. The grapple of HTV2 is scheduled at 5:44 a.m.
8 a.m. -- Berthing coverage, anchored from Johnson, begins. The attachment should be complete at approximately 10 a.m.

For more information about Kounotori2 and the H-IIB launch vehicle, visit:
www.jaxa.jp/countdown/h2bf2/index_e.html

For more information about the International Space Station, visit:
www.nasa.gov/station

For NASA TV downlink, schedule and streaming video information, visit:
www.nasa.gov/ntv

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

HTV-2 is at the pad!

H-IIB F2 arrived at the launch pad: H-IIB arrived at LP2. Connection between H-IIB and LP2 started.

 

[orb]

Florida Today - The Flame Trench: "White stork" ready for second cargo delivery to station.

 

[orb]

SPACE.com: Japanese Cargo Spacecraft to Launch Toward Space Station.

Spaceflight Now:

• H-2B launch ground track:
  
  
• H-2B launch timeline
• Mission Status Center:

  JAXA officials just gave a "go" for cryogenic propellant loading after reviewing the status of the countdown and weather conditions at Tanegashima. Liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen will be loaded into the H-2B rocket's first and second stages.