JAXA | July 2012

July 28, 2012 Updated

KOUNOTORI3 berthed at ISS!

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.
(Photo: The KOUNOTORI3 to a Common Berthing Mechanism at the nadir port of Harmony, JAXA/NASA)

July 26, 2012 Updated

Live broadcast of KOUNOTORI3 trip to ISS!

The KOUNOTORI3 (HTV3, the cargo transporter to the International Space Station) launched on July 21 has been traveling to the ISS while adjusting its altitude. Between the evening on July 27 and early on the morning of July 28, the KOUNOTORI3 will make a final approach and berth at the ISS. JAXA will provide a live broadcast of its final access, capture, and berthing.
The KOUNOTORI3's approach and the ISS's capture of the vehicle by the robotic arm is scheduled for about one hour from 8:10 p.m. on the 27th (Japan Standard Time.) Then the telecast of its berthing will last for about two hours from 11:15 p.m. on the same night (JST.)
Please don't miss the broadcast!
(Photo: The KOUNOTORI2 approaching the ISS, JAXA/NASA)

July 21, 2012 Updated

Launch Success of KOUNOTORI3/H-IIB F3

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.) The launch vehicle flew smoothly, and at 14 minutes and 53 seconds after liftoff, the KOUNOTORI3 separation was confirmed.
The KOUNOTORI3 will gradually go closer to the International Space Station, and it will be berthed at the ISS. We will broadcast the berthing on our website, so don't miss it!

July 19, 2012 Updated

KOUNOTORI3/H-IIB F3 launch time decided! Live broadcast from 10:00 a.m. on July 21 (Sat.)

The launch time of the H-IIB Launch Vehicle No. 3 with the KOUNOTORI3 (HTV3, a cargo transporter to the International Space Station) was set for 11:06:18 a.m. on July 21 (Sat.), 2012 (Japan Standard Time.)
JAXA will broadcast a live launch report from the Tanegashima Space Center from 10:00 a.m. on the 21st. You can watch it through the Internet, at JAXA facilities, and some public viewing spots including science museums. At the launch special site on our website, you can find articles by project managers who are preparing for the launch, and you can also send support messages to us. Please have a look!

July 17, 2012 Updated

Astronaut Hoshide began his long-term stay at ISS

The Soyuz spacecraft, which Astronaut Akihiko Hoshide was aboard, was launched at 11:40 a.m. on July 15 (Sun., Japan Standard time) and docked with the International Space Station at 1:51 p.m. on July 17 (Thur., JST.) The hatch to the ISS was opened, and Astronaut Hoshide's first long-term stay there has started. He is the fourth Japanese astronaut to stay at the ISS for a prolonged period. He will live there for about four months as a flight engineer for the 32nd /33rd expedition crew and perform science experiments and robotic operations. Please keep following our updates and don't miss his activities in space. We are welcoming support messages from you!

July 15, 2012 Updated

Soyuz launched with Astronaut Hoshide onboard

The Soyuz spacecraft with Astronaut Akihiko Hoshide aboard was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome (Republic of Kazakhstan) at 11:40 a.m. on July 15 (Sun., Japan Standard time.) The Soyuz will dock with the International Space Station on July 17 (Thu.) JAXA will broadcast a live report of the Soyuz crew including Astronaut Hoshide entering the ISS on July 17. Please watch it!

July 4, 2012 Updated

SHIZUKU onboard sensor (AMSR2) acquired observation data!

SHIZUKU onboard sensor (AMSR2) acquired observation data! JAXA acquired observation data on the Earth from the Global Change Observation Mission 1st - Water "SHIZUKU" (GCOM-W1). The SHIZUKU was launched on May 18, 2012 (Japan Standard Time) from the Tanegashima Space Center and started regular observations by the onboard sensor, Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR2,) on July 3 after entering into the A-train orbit on June 29. The data was acquired by the AMSR2. We will continue the initial functional verification, then confirm data accuracy and perform initial calibration and inspection operations including data correction.

July 2, 2012 Updated

SHIZUKU inserted into A-Train orbit!

JAXA confirmed that the Global Change Observation Mission 1st - Water “SHIZUKU” was inserted into a planned position on the A-Train orbit. The SHIZUKU was launched by the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 21 from the Tanegashima Space Center on May 18.
The A-train, or the Afternoon Constellation, is a cooperative Earth observation system that consists of multiple satellites from some countries. Japan has participated in the system for the first time with the SHIZUKU. JAXA will verify observation performance of the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR2) aboard the SHIZUKU.