When the H2B rocket was launched from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima, the unmanned resupply vehicle HTV named "Kounotori" was delivering equipment and food to the International Space Station. It was announced that the successor HTV-X No. 1 will be launched on October 21, 2025, by the H3 rocket No. 7 from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima.

The new Japanese carrier "HTV-X" No. 1 was unveiled to the media on June 2nd in Tanegashima. The total development cost is approximately 3.56 billion yen. It is an unmanned spacecraft that is responsible for transporting equipment, research materials, food, and clothes to the International Space Station (ISS). The first carrier was launched in 2009, jointly developed by JAXA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries as a successor to "Konotori," which successfully completed nine missions consecutively before 2020. It weighs about 16 tons. Its full length is approximately 8 meters, with a diameter of about 4.4 meters. Its size is almost the same as Konotori, but by successfully reducing the weight of the aircraft, the amount of material it can carry has increased by about 1.5 times, reaching about 5.85 tons.

There are other points that have evolved from Konotori.

A power supply function has been added to the part where power is loaded, called "pressurized cargo." The time limit for loading supplies has also been significantly shortened from 90 hours before the launch of Kounotori to 24 hours before the launch of HTV-X. This allows for the installation of fresh food and experimental samples, where freshness is important.

This is not all. After separating from the International Space Station and burning up, Kounotori re-entered the atmosphere about three days later, but HTV-X can fly independently for up to 1.5 years after leaving the International Space Station. Using this feature, the first vehicle is also planned to fly independently after separating from the International Space Station.

First, it will launch small satellites into space, raise the altitude from the International Space Station, and conduct environmental observations. Next, the mission will use a reflector installed on the aircraft to reflect lasers from the ground and perform measurements on the ground. The purpose is to observe space debris, such as drifting rocket fragments in space, and help develop removal plans. Then, experiments will be conducted in outer space to deploy lightweight solar panels and receive radio waves from the ground through antennas installed on the panels, as well as demonstration experiments for next-generation space solar cells. These are grand missions that connect this technology with the future unmanned construction of large structures such as photovoltaic systems in space.

Mr. Norimasa Ito, project manager of JAXA's new space station resupply vehicle project, said, "The advantage of HTV-X is that it can carry a large amount of cargo, and even after leaving the International Space Station, it can be used for different purposes. Although there were some minor issues during the development phase, he expressed confidence in the success of the mission, saying, 'The No. 1 unit is nearing completion and is waiting for launch. I can confidently say it will be successful, but I have a very strong passion to establish a new legacy of HTV-X after Konotori.'

The first HTV-X has finally been released. The specifications of the rocket body are also slightly different from before. The first stage will still be equipped with two liquid fuel "LE-9" main engines, but the solid fuel auxiliary rockets "SRB-3" installed on the sides of the body will increase from two to four, making it more powerful.

From Tanegashima to space. I look forward to the success of the first mission of HTV-X, which plays an important role in supporting global space development and research.

Original text: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1841885441251404/

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