Japan launches cargo craft for ISS resupply mission

A H-2B rocket carrying cargo craft for the International Space Station (ISS) called "Kounotori No.5" blasts off from the launching pad at Tanegashima Space Center.[Photo/Agencies]

Wednesday's liftoff has been the fifth flight of HTV since the first Kounotori vehicle was launched in September 2009 with 4.5 metric tons of supplies for the ISS. The HTV5 delivers a total 5.5 metric tons of cargo to the ISS. Japan's last resupply flight to the ISS was made by HTV4 in August 2013, delivering 5.4 metric tons of cargo to the ISS.

By improving the way of loading of cargo, the HTV's loading capacity has gradually been increased. "The amount of loadable cargo of HTV5 has been increased up to 242 Cargo Transfer Bags ( CTBs) as compared to 208 CTBs during HTV1 mission, which is the increase of 34 bags and about 15 percent," said JAXA. "This allows the HTV to accommodate more packages such as water and system parts."

Japan wants to make continuous launches with at least four more HTV missions, according to media reports. The next Kounotori spacecraft, HTV6 is planned to be launched in 2016.

Earlier this year, Japan launched a backup information gathering satellite (IGS) with a radar reconnaissance payload and an IGS with an optical reconnaissance payload in February and March, separately.