Japanese Cargo Vehicle Lifts Off

(NASA) – The Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) launched at 1:01 p.m. EDT Thursday from the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan. The HTV will carry about 3.5 tons of supplies to the International Space Station and is scheduled to be attached Thursday, Sept. 17, using the station’s robotic arm. Additionally, this was the first flight of the H-IIb rocket, which is a new variant of Japan’s H-IIa vehicle.

In addition to preparing for the arrival of the HTV, the space station crew enjoyed time off Wednesday, resting up after the busy assembly mission.

The Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle lifts off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan. Credit: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

The population aboard the International Space Station is back to six following the departure of space shuttle Discovery and its seven-member crew at 3:26 p.m. Tuesday.

The shuttle crew’s newest member, Mission Specialist Tim Kopra, is returning to Earth after 44 days as a member of the station’s Expedition 20 crew, while his replacement, Nicole Stott, begins a three-month stay in orbit.