H-2 Transfer Vehicle

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The HTV in the free flight phase before capture
The robotic arm grabs the H-2 Transfer Vehicle

The HTV ( H-2 Transfer Vehicle ) is an unmanned supply spaceship developed by the Japanese space agency JAXA for the International Space Station . From the first start on September 10, 2009 to the last on May 20, 2020, it was used a total of nine times. From 2022 it is to be replaced by the successor model HTV-X . Template: future / in 2 years

construction

The segments of the HTV

The 10.5-ton HTV consists of a cylindrical body 9.80 meters long and 4.40 meters in diameter. The HTV is divided into two cargo sections , an avionics module and a propulsion module. In addition to the pressurized part of the cargo hold (PLC - Pressurized Logistics Adapter), which can be entered by the crew of the International Space Station (ISS) after docking , the HTV has a non-pressurized part (UPLC - Unpressurized Logistics Adapter) in the payload can be transported. There is an opening on the side with a size of 2.7 × 2.5 meters. The advantage of this process is that bulky objects that cannot be transported through the station locks can be carried as external loads. The main task of the HTV was to supply, equip and supply the Japanese Kibō laboratory on the ISS. The HTV was able to transport up to six tons of cargo to the ISS, of which around 4500 kg could be accommodated in the pressurized and 1500 kg in the non-pressurized area of ​​the HTV. In the non-pressurized part, a Type I carrier platform (Exposed Pallet) with up to three standardized experimental containers for the Japanese Kibō module of the ISS could be accommodated, which was then removed from the Canadarm2 of the ISS. Alternatively, a carrier platform (type III) with up to six US ORU containers could be transported (for example ORU batteries). Thanks to the passive coupling adapter with US standard dimensions ( Passive Common Berthing Mechanism - PCBM), the HTV was also able to transport standard components for the Columbus module or Destiny that did not fit through the Russian coupling adapter.

The four main engines of the HTV

The HTV has four main Aerojet engines on the underside , which are operated in pairs and deliver a thrust of 490 N. They were mainly used to raise the lift onto a transfer runway to the ISS and to slow down the HTV towards the end of the mission. The HTV is designed in such a way that it could reach the ISS up to an altitude of 460 km. In addition, there are 28 maneuvering nozzles (Attitude Control Thruster) each with 110 N thrust (14 nozzles are normally used, another 14 are redundant). All engines are operated with monomethylhydrazine (MMH) and a nitrogen oxide mixture (MON3) as an oxidizer . Four fuel tanks with a maximum capacity of 2400 kg and four smaller helium tanks for their pressure supply are built into the drive module.

The energy supply of the freighter is ensured by 47 solar cell modules on the outside. The avionics module provides two redundant power networks (50 V DC each) for the other parts of the HTV. After docking, the power supply can also be provided externally via the ISS (120 V direct current on-board network). The energy is stored by seven battery modules (Primary Batteries P-BAT) with 200 Ah each, which are housed in the avionics module. There is another battery (Secondary Battery S-BAT) for protection.

Mission flow

The HTV was launched with an H-2B rocket from the Tanegashima spaceport in southern Japan. After a flight time of 15 minutes, the HTV was separated from the second stage rocket at an altitude of about 287 km and took a transfer orbit to the ISS. The navigation was mainly done by GPS , communication with the earth takes place via the TDRS system ( Tracking and Data Relay Satellite ) from NASA. From a distance of 23 km, the HTV was in the "Proximity Communication Zone" and was able to communicate directly with Kibo. From a distance of 500 meters from the ISS, the rendezvous sensor was activated, which navigated the HTV up to a distance of 10 meters to the station with optical cameras and laser sensors. The HTV maneuvered independently into a parking position in front of the international space station and was then picked up by the Canadarm2 robot arm of the space station and guided to a coupling point with US standard dimensions. The coupling usually took place after about 5 days and 16 hours.

The HTV can usually remain docked for up to 30 days (with HTV-1 around 45 days) and at the end of the mission - like the Russian Progress transporters and the ATV - it is loaded with up to 6000 kg of waste and equipment that is no longer required and checked in the Earth's atmosphere burned up.

Distinguishing features to the ATV and the Progress-Transporter

Nadir standard docking position of the HTV

During the conception phase in the late 1980s, it was clear from the start that the HTV should be moored to the American part of the space station. A docking system like the one on the Progress Transporter or the ATV had to be dispensed with, as the American coupling points were not designed for automatic coupling. Therefore it was decided to catch the transporter with the help of a robotic arm. The ATV used, among other things, the Russian KURS docking system from RCS Energia, which was acquired under license, while the HTV's approach system was developed in Japan. The Kiku-7 experimental satellite, which was launched in 1997 and consisted of two subsatellites that could approach and dock independently, was used for this purpose. The ATV used the Russian SSVP-G4000 coupling system, the HTV the American Common Berthing Mechanism (CBM).

By default, the HTV was docked to the American Harmony module, but it could also dock to any other free American coupling port (with HTV-1 Nadir port from Harmony). In contrast to Russian coupling points, the American interconnection points do not have any fuel transfer lines. Therefore, in contrast to the ATV, the HTV cannot transport any fuel, oxygen or water to the ISS (the latter can, however, be taken in water bags). However, bulky items such as B. Laboratory modules (science racks) are transported from the pressurized part of the HTV into the station, since the coupling cross-section of the American modules is approximately 1.27 x 1.27 meters, compared to the round Russian couplings with 0.8 meters Diameter. With the ATV as well as with Progress, the transport of bulky loads was or is not possible. Thus, in addition to the Spacex Dragon, only the HTV was able to transport larger objects as external load to the ISS or to take objects that are no longer required from the station.

In contrast to the ATV, the HTV is not designed to raise the orbital orbit of the ISS. To do this, the thrust vector of HTV's own engines would have to run through the joint center of gravity of the ISS. Since the HTV is in the “wrong” position (nadir or zenith), ignition of the engines would only cause the station to rotate around its center of gravity.

In 2009, six HTV units were planned annually, one of which was a demonstration and the option for additional vans.

Spaceship progress Space Shuttle with MPLM ATV HTV
HTV-X 		Dragon 1
Dragon 2 		Cygnus Tianzhou Dream chaser
Starting capacity 2.2-2.4 t 9 t 7.7 t 6.0 t
5.8 t 		6.0 t 2.0 t (2013)
3.5 t (2015)
3.75 t (2019) 		6.5 t 5.5 t
Landing capacity 150 kg (with VBK-Raduga ) 9 t - 20 kg (from HTV-7) 3.0 t - - 1.75 t
Special
skills 		Reboost,
fuel transfer 		Transport of ISPR,
transport of external loads,
station construction,
reboost 		Reboost,
fuel transfer 		Transportation of ISPR ,
transportation of external loads 		Transportation of ISPR,
transportation of external loads 		Transport of ISPR Fuel transfer
carrier Soyuz STS Ariane 5 H-2B
H3 		Falcon 9 Antares / Atlas 5 Long March 7 Vulcan
Start-up costs
(rough information) 		$ 65 million $ 450 million $ 600 million HTV: $ 300-320 million $ 150/230 million

(Dragon 1/2)

$ 260/220 million (Cygnus 2/3)
Manufacturer RKK Energija Alenia Spazio (MPLM) Airbus Defense and Space Mitsubishi Electric SpaceX Orbital Sciences CAST Sierra Nevada
Period of use since 1978 2001-2011 2008-2015 2009–2020
from 2022 		2012–2020
from 2020 		since 2014 since 2017 from 2021

italic = planned

Missions

HTV-1 "Kounotori"

Start of the H-IIB F1 on September 10, 2009
The external payload of the HTV is unloaded through a side opening. Here in the picture the freight receiving pallet (Exposed Pallet)
The interior of the HTV-1, taken shortly after docking. The HTV Resupply Packs can be seen in the foreground

With the start of the HTV demonstrator on September 10, 2009 at 17:01 UTC , the first HTV was sent on its way to the ISS. HTV-1 is cataloged as Satellite Catalog Number 35817 or with the COSPAR designation 2009-048A. After several demonstrations of approach and demolition, the module then assumed a stable waiting position under the Unity module on September 17th . The astronauts from ISS Expedition 20 seized it with the Canadarm2 at 19:47 UTC and docked it on the Harmony module after 10 p.m.

In contrast to the following series HTVs, the curb weight of HTV-1 was 11,500 kg, as the mission profile of the first flight differed from the others (demonstration tests for taxiing and demolition maneuvers, etc.). For this, HTV-1 had four additional batteries (a total of 11 battery modules with 175 Ah each) as well as additional fuel reserves (918 kg MMH and 1514 kg MON3). For this reason, the payload mass was only 4500 kg on the first demonstration flight. The HTV-1 contained the following payloads, among others:

For the Japanese Exposed Facility (JEF) of the Kibō module (900 kg):

  • SMILES (Superconducting Submillimeter-Wave Limb-Emission Sounder), 329 kg
  • The two-part HREP measuring complex 312 kg, consisting of HICO & RAIDS; HICO (Hyperspectral Imager for the Coastal Ocean) is used to test hyperspectral imaging using the example of coastal regions, and RAIDS (Remote Atmospheric and Ionospheric Detection System) to research the earth's atmosphere and ionosphere.
  • SFA (Small Fine Arm) extension of the robot arm for filigree activities

In the pressurized cargo area (3600 kg):

  • Express Rack 8, US rack for Destiny
  • HTV Resupply Packs for seven freight racks
  • Supplies, consumables and supplies for experiments

The mission was originally supposed to end after about 37 days and 10 hours with the HTV burning up in the earth's atmosphere. The mission was extended on the first day after docking. Undocking and launching with the help of the Canadarm2 robot arm took place on October 30, 2009. Approximately 700 kg of garbage and devices that are no longer required were previously stored on board. Two of the four interior lights were dismantled as spare parts and stowed in the ISS. The brake ignition took place on November 1st, 2009. The main engines of the HTV ignited in three maneuvers. The first two firings put the HTV in an elliptical orbit with an apogee of 335 km and a perigee of 143 km. The last 400-second ignition at 21:01 UTC braked the HTV by 89 m / s, then the HTV was rotated with the help of the maneuvering nozzles so that its long side was facing the direction of flight. After deactivating the propulsion system, the HTV entered the earth's atmosphere at an altitude of 120 km above New Zealand. The last telemetry data was received from an altitude of 116 km. The mission thus ended successfully after 52 days.

After the successful mission, JAXA carried out a campaign in summer 2010 to give the HTV a name, during which the name “Kounotori” (Japanese: こ う の と り), which means “white stork”, was chosen. The name applies to the entire series, not just to the HTV-1.

HTV-2 "Kounotori 2"

Kounotori 2 on Harmony's Zenit port , captured by the Discovery crew during the STS-133 mission.

The HTV-2 was the first production model to fly to the ISS. Based on the experience gained from the first HTV flight, some modifications were made. In addition to modified flight software (Rendezvous Flight Software, RVFS) and modified GPS navigation software, the second (redundant) communication system was also converted to a Japanese development ( Proximity Link System String B ). The four light modules for the interior lighting were moved from the side wall to the front wall next to the door. This enabled valuable storage space to be gained. Two of the four light modules were new Japanese developments based on LEDs ( Permanent Solid-state Lightning , PSL). They consume less energy (together 29 W) and also produce less waste heat than the previous lights ( General Luminaire Assembly , GLA). Since this flight did not include any further demonstrations, some of the batteries and fuel installed could be dispensed with, which was used to increase the cargo capacity.

The HTV-2 arrived, disassembled into its individual modules, on July 23 and 29, 2010 at the spaceport in Tanegashima. The freighter was named Kounotori 2 and transported the following payloads to the ISS:

In the pressurized cargo area (4000 kg):

  • Kobairo Rack (723 kg) with the Gradient Heating Furnace (GHF) for the JPM module from Kibo
  • two MPS racks (580 kg) were placed in the Kibo JPM module
  • HTV Resupply Packs for eight freight racks
  • four bags (CWC-I Bags) with iodinated water (drinking water)
  • REBR Reentry Breakup Recorder (8 kg, Aerospace Corporation),
  • other supplies, consumables, and experimental supplies

In the non-pressurized cargo area (1300 kg):

The captured HTV-2 Kounotori 2 shortly before docking
The HTV-2 leaves the station.
  • two ORU freight containers
  • FHRC (Flex Hose Rotary Coupler), removed from the exposed pallet with the help of the Dextre robotic arm , brought to the ELC-4 and stowed there.
  • CTC-4 (Cargo Transportation Container 4), also brought to the ELC-4 with the help of the robot arm and stowed there.

HTV-2 was originally scheduled to launch on January 20, 2011. After a two-day delay due to bad weather, Kountori 2 finally started on January 22, 2011 at 14:37:57 Japanese time from launch complex 2 in Tanegashima. The space transporter was separated from the upper stage of the H2B launcher after a flight time of 15 minutes and 13 seconds. The capture by the Canadarm2 robotic arm of the ISS took place on January 27 and was carried out by NASA astronaut Catherine Coleman and ESA astronaut Paolo Nespoli . HTV-2, like HTV-1, was initially coupled to the nadir docking point of Harmony (pointing downwards towards the earth) . On February 19, he was put on the (pointing up) Zenit port since the nadir port for mission STS-133 of Discovery be freed had to, otherwise the installation of the would PMM Leonardo at the nadir docking port of Unity not possible been. After the mission, HTV-2 was returned to the nadir port on March 10, 2011. The opening of the hatch to the pressurized part was delayed by four days due to the severe earthquake on March 11th in which the Tsukuba Space Center had to be evacuated. Minor damage, overturned server cabinets and an interruption in a submarine cable meant that control of the HTV had to be transferred to Houston. For this purpose, JAXA employees flew to Houston on the same day in order to manage the opening of the hatch there. Control was returned to Tsukuba on March 22nd. The waste that the HTV-2 transported from the station also included parts, cover plates and flight hardware from the PMM Leonardo that were no longer needed as the module remains on the ISS.

Two days before uncoupling, a 4 kg heavy re-entry breakup recorder ( REBR ) was installed inside. This recorded data from the interior of the pressure hull as well as the stresses to which the HTV was exposed when it entered the earth's atmosphere. The recorder was released when the van broke and was built to survive reentry. When REBR reached subsonic speed in the atmosphere at an altitude of about 18 km, it transmitted the data over the Iridium satellite telephone network .

Unhitching and launching took place one day late on March 28, 2011 and was directed by Cady Coleman and Paolo Nespoli. After two engine firings, Kounotori 2 entered a 280 × 120 km elliptical orbit. The third final detonation occurred on March 30, 2011 at 11:44 a.m. (JST) and resulted in controlled entry into the earth's atmosphere over the South Pacific. The mission was thus successfully completed after 67 days. HTV-2 is cataloged as Satellite Catalog Number 37351 or with the COSPAR designation 2011-003A.

  • Gradient Heating Furnace

  • Multi-purpose Small Payload Rack (MPS)

  • CTC-4 cargo transport container

HTV-3 "Kounotori 3"

Kounotori 3 at launch

The third HTV was further modified compared to its predecessor. Both the four main engines and the 28 maneuvering nozzles (Attitude Control Thrusters) were made in Japan. In addition, the transponder and diplexer in the avionics area were replaced by new developments and the software was expanded. A new, lighter carrier platform (Exposed Pallet-Multi-Purpose) was developed for the non-pressurized external payload, which made it possible to accommodate payloads that did not correspond to the standard dimensions of the Kibō-EFUs or ORUs .

Thanks to the experience gained from the two previous Kounotori missions, it was also possible for the first time to load part of the payload shortly before take-off (late loading capability). This is usually used for perishable or time-sensitive goods and thus expands the range of possible cargo. For this purpose, special loading platforms have been developed and the loading sequence has been optimized.

Kounotori 3 took the following payloads:

In the cargo area under pressure:

  • AQuatic Habitat (AQH) for installation in Kibo (75 kg)
  • Four bags (CWC-I Bags) with iodinated water (drinking water)
  • i-Ball (24 kg), re-entry record, similar to the REBR
  • Five CubeSats ( RAIKO , FITSAT-1 , WE WISH , F-1 and TechEdSat 1 ) that were released from the airlock of the Kibo module via an adapter
  • Additional supplies, consumables and supplies for experiments

For the Japanese Exposed Facility (JEF) of the Kibō module:

  • SCAN Testbed (NASA), experimental device for data communication, 450 kg
  • Multi-Mission Consolidated Equipment (MCE, probably to be installed on Kibo's EFU-8) 450 kg

HTV-3 was launched on July 21, 2012 from the Tanegashima Spaceport. The H-IIB rocket lifted off from Launch Complex 2 at 11:06 a.m. (Japanese time) and successfully deposited the HTV on a 200 × 300 km transfer orbit to the ISS after a flight time of 14 minutes and 53 seconds. After a self-check, the HTV stabilized its flight position and established a connection to NASA's TDRS communication system, which forwards the data to the ground station in Tsukuba.

Since the ISS was at an altitude of 403 km at the time of take-off, the flight to the ISS took one day longer than that of Kounotori 2. The capture by the ISS robotic arm was carried out by Joseph Acaba on July 27th. The Japanese astronaut Akihiko Hoshide then docked the HTV to the American Harmony module . In contrast to the two previous flights, the planned duration of the entire mission was only 37 days. HTV-3 was re-released on September 12, 2012, igniting its main engines and burning up on September 14.

HTV-3 is cataloged as Satellite Catalog Number 38706 or with the COSPAR designation 2012-038A.

HTV-4 "Kounotori 4"

HTV-4 was launched on August 3, 2013 19:48 UTC from the Tanegashima Spaceport with an H-IIB rocket from Launch Complex 2 and docked with the ISS on August 9. The uncoupling took place on September 4, 2013, on September 7, "Kounotori 4" burned up over the Pacific.

On board were u. a.

HTV-5 "Kounotori 5"

HTV-5 took off on August 19, 2015 at 11:50 UTC.

HTV-6 "Kounotori 6"

The following important information is missing from this article or section:
KITE (Kounotori Integrated Tether Experiment)
Help Wikipedia by researching and pasting it .

The start of HTV-6 was planned for October 2016, but did not take place until December 9, 2016. The decoupling took place on January 27, 2017.

HTV-7 "Kounotori 7"

HTV-7 was launched on September 22, 2018 (local time: September 23), and docked with the ISS on September 27. In contrast to earlier HTV models, the HTV-7 only required five battery units. In addition, the HTV-7 was provided with a new return capsule HTV Small Re-entry Capsule (HSRC). Most of the spacecraft burned up in the atmosphere after it was disconnected from the ISS. However, the HSRC parachuted braked down near the Ogasawara Islands at Minami-Torishima .

The capsule can bring about 20 kg of cargo, such as experiments, back to Earth. At that time, this was otherwise only possible with the manned Soyuz spaceships or the Dragon freighters.

HTV-8 "Kounotori 8"

The start of HTV-8 was planned for September 10, 2019, but had to be postponed by two weeks due to a launch ramp fire. The fire had broken out laterally below the already refueled rocket and could only be extinguished after several hours. HTV-8 docked with the ISS on September 28, 2019 for a 34-day stay.

HTV-9 "Kounotori 9"

The last HTV launched on May 20, 2020 with the last H-2B missile.

Possible use by NASA

In July 2008 it was reported that NASA was in unofficial negotiations with the Japanese space agency JAXA to buy some HTV. According to the reports, NASA feared that once the shuttle fleet was shut down, it would no longer be able to supply the ISS. These reports were officially denied, as NASA was already working with SpaceX and Orbital Sciences Corporation on future supplies to the station.

Bill Gerstenmaier, NASA program director for manned spaceflight, announced at the end of March 2012 that NASA was planning to commission further HTV flights. By then, it was planned that the last of seven flights would take place in 2016. Accordingly, two to three more flights could be commissioned to ensure the supply of the station by 2020.

Cygnus receives HTV proximity control

The space transporter Cygnus developed by the American space company Orbital Sciences Corporation was equipped with the Proximity Link System (PLS) used in the HTV . To this end, on October 22, 2009, a contract between OCS and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation worth 66 million US dollars was signed. Approaching, catching and docking with the help of the Canadarm2 robot arm is carried out in the same way as the HTV.

HTV return

After the second HTV mission was successfully completed in March 2011, JAXA decided to start a new research project. The content of the project was to convert the tried and tested HTV so that a capsule ( HTV Return Vehicle , or HRV for short ) inside it can return to earth. The upgraded HTV is called HTV-Return ( HTV-R for short ).

In the further course of the project, two project goals were defined:

  • Development of a process that enables manned spaceflights to return safely and reliably to Earth.
  • Construction of a means of transport for the retrieval of samples and devices from the ISS to Earth.

The second point was important for JAXA insofar as the American space shuttle shuttles were decommissioned in 2011. As of this year, samples and experiments can only be brought back with the Russian Soyuz spaceships or, since May 2012, with the private American spaceship Dragon . The four to five Soyuz spaceships per year can only transport back 100 kilograms of payload per flight.

In order to achieve the project goals mentioned, the following three variants were initially developed:

  • In the planning designated as option 0 , a small return capsule would have been integrated into the coupling adapter of the HTV. This approximately 50 cm diameter capsule should have an ablative heat shield and, unlike the rest of the HTV-R, withstand the return to earth. Inside, however, only small laboratory samples could have been accommodated. Shortly after the brake ignition, the capsule should be ejected from the HTV-R and land softly on the ground hanging from parachutes. This plan could have been implemented relatively quickly and inexpensively, as Japan had already gained a lot of experience in the field of re-entry technologies (re-entry modules: OREX, AFLEX, HYFLEX, DASH, USERS, the return capsule of the Hayabusa space probe, etc.). Increased safety precautions for the hatch through which the capsule was supposed to be ejected would have been disadvantageous, since it should never have failed or leaked while the HTV-R would have been connected to the ISS. The loading capacity of the HTV-R would hardly have differed from the current HTV.
  • Further planning is called Option 1 . A larger return capsule would have been located in the non-pressurized cargo hold of the HTV and replaced the previous cargo pallets ( exposed pallet ). Access to the interior of the capsule would have been through another hatch that would have been on the rear wall of the interior. The return capsule should weigh about two tons when empty, 2.6 meters in diameter and about 1.5 meters high. After the cargo to be returned has been loaded, the capsule should be sealed before the HTV-R leaves the ISS. Shortly after the brake was ignited, it would have been ejected from the side of the HTV hold. It would then have come back to earth, braked by parachutes. In contrast to option 0, a landing in the sea instead of on land was planned. A HTV equipped in this way could have carried 3200 kg of cargo to the ISS and took about 300 kg back to earth. This measure would also have required some modifications to the HTV: An additional access hatch would have had to be installed, an ejection mechanism designed for re-entry and, due to the changed center of gravity, further small modifications had to be made. It would have been disadvantageous that no further external payloads could have been transported. However, this solution would also have been relatively easy to implement.
  • In the planning stage referred to as Option 2 , the entire pressurized area of ​​the HTV was to be replaced by a single, frustoconical return capsule. It would have had a diameter of about four meters, a height of 3.80 meters and a weight of about six tons. This should contain around 3200 kg of cargo during take-off. In the non-pressurized freight area, it should be possible to take a further 1600 kg on freight pallets, as was previously possible with the HTV. The capsule should hold around 1,600 kg of cargo for transport back to Earth. Before the HTV enters the Earth's atmosphere, the return capsule should be separated from the rest of the HTV-R. As with option 1, this capsule should land softly hanging from parachutes in the sea. The first launch could have taken place in 2016. This planning had the great advantage that Japan would have come a big step closer to its goal of developing a manned space capsule.

In a multi-stage weighing process, option 0 was initially excluded. The main reason for excluding option 0 was the low transport capacity (samples and equipment could have been transported, but astronauts could not). When comparing option 1 and option 2, the decision was made in 2011 for option 2, as the previously defined project goals can best be achieved with this variant.

This decision was followed by further research and development studies. On October 22, 2015, a drop test from a height of 2 kilometers with a small return capsule was carried out in Japan . In 2016 it was not yet known exactly when the first flight of an HTV-R would take place.

Important information is missing from this article or section. Help Wikipedia by researching and pasting it .

Web links

Commons : H-2 Transfer Vehicle  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Stephen Clark: Japan's HTV ready for launch with last set of new space station solar batteries . Spaceflight Now, May 19, 2020.
  2. ↑ JAXA: HTV overview
  3. ↑ JAXA: HTV-1 Mission Press Kit September 9, 2009 (PDF file, 6.24 MB, English)
  4. ↑ JAXA: Launch / Operation and Control Plans for H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) Demonstration Flight and H-IIB Launch Vehicle Test Flight (H-IIB TF1) July 2009 (PDF file, 750 kB, English)
  5. ^ John Catchpole: The international space station: Building for the future , Praxis Verlag, June 2010, ISBN 978-0-387-78144-0 , chapter "Partners" p. 25.
  6. ↑ Joshihiko Torano: H-II Transfer Vehicle "Kounotori" (HTV) Key Space Transfer Vehicle. Retrieved April 9, 2011 .
  7. ^ Günther Glatzel: First HTV on the way to the ISS. In: Raumfahrer.net. September 10, 2006, accessed December 20, 2009 .
  8. ↑ HTV-X on Gunter's Space Page, accessed on September 24, 2019.
  9. ↑ a b Dragon. SpaceX. In: spacex.com. Archived from the original on July 14, 2016 ; accessed on September 22, 2019 (English).
  10. ↑ a b Dragon. SpaceX. In: spacex.com. Retrieved September 22, 2019 .
  11. ^ Commercial Resupply Services. In: orbitalatk.com. Retrieved March 24, 2018 .
  12. ↑ Eric Berger: NASA to pay more for less cargo delivery to the space station. April 27, 2018, accessed September 22, 2019 .
  13. ^ Antares launches Cygnus cargo spacecraft on first CRS-2 mission . Spacenews, November 2, 2019.
  14. ^ A b Sierra Nevada firms up Atlas V Missions for Dream Chaser Spacecraft, gears up for Flight Testing. In: Spaceflight 101 July 9, 2017, accessed September 22, 2019 .
  15. ↑ Bernd Leitenberger: Progress. In: bernd-leitenberger.de. Retrieved March 24, 2018 .
  16. ↑ How much does it cost to launch a Space Shuttle? NASA, March 23, 2019, accessed March 23, 2019 .
  17. ↑ Stephen Clark: Fourth ATV attached to Ariane 5 launcher. In: spaceflightnow.com. Retrieved March 24, 2018 .
  18. ↑ Stephen Clark: Space station partners assess logistics needs beyond 2015. In: spaceflightnow.com. December 1, 2009, accessed March 24, 2018 .
  19. ↑ Robert Wyre: JAXA Wants ¥¥¥¥¥ for 2020 Rocket. In: majiroxnews.com. January 19, 2011, archived from the original on March 2, 2016 ; accessed on March 24, 2018 (English).
  20. ↑ a b SpaceX price hikes will make ISS cargo missions more costly . Engadget, April 27, 2018.
  21. ↑ Stephen Clark: Japan's HTV ready for launch with last set of new space station solar batteries . Spaceflight Now, May 19, 2020.
  22. ^ Mission Status Center. Spaceflight Now, accessed September 10, 2009 .
  23. ↑ Günther Glatzel: Japan's space freighter is made ready for take-off. In: Raumfahrer.net. August 14, 2009. Retrieved August 14, 2009 .
  24. ↑ HTV-1 reentered the atmosphere / HTV-1 mission completed. JAXA, November 2, 2009, accessed November 2, 2009 .
  25. ↑ Kazuki Shiibashi: Japanese HTV Re-enters After Successful Mission. AVIATION WEEK, November 3, 2009, accessed November 19, 2009 .
  26. ↑ "Kounotori" Chosen as Nickname of the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV). JAXA, November 11, 2010, accessed November 27, 2010 .
  27. ↑ HTV-2 press kit , (English; PDF, 6.6 MB)
  28. ↑ NASA Spaceflight.com Forum, accessed September 7, 2010
  29. ↑ Stephen Clark: Japan dispatches delivery mission to space station. Spaceflight Now, January 22, 2011, accessed March 26, 2011 .
  30. ^ Mission Control Room at the Tsukuba Space Center (TKSC) Resumes Kibo and KOUNOTORI Operations. JAXA, March 22, 2011, accessed March 25, 2011 .
  31. ^ PMM Leonardo: The Final Permanent US Module for the ISS. JAXA, October 6, 2010, accessed February 26, 2011 .
  32. ↑ Space.com: 'Satellite Phone' to Record Fiery Death of Japanese Robot Spaceship
  33. ↑ Japanese Cargo Spacecraft Berthed to Station. NASA, July 27, 2012, accessed September 17, 2012 .
  34. ^ Günther Glatzel: Kounotori 3 burns up. raumfahrer.net, September 15, 2012, accessed on September 17, 2012 .
  35. ↑ KOUNOTORI3 Mission Completed. JAXA, September 14, 2012, accessed September 17, 2012 .
  36. ^ Gunter Krebs: HTV. Gunter's Space Page, August 3, 2013, accessed August 4, 2013 .
  37. ↑ HTV re-entry. September 7, 2013, accessed September 11, 2013 .
  38. ↑ Chris Gebhardt, Chris Bergin: HTV-5 Kounotori sets sail for the ISS. nasaspaceflight.com, August 19, 2015, accessed August 19, 2015 .
  39. ↑ Chris Gebhardt: JAXA launches H-IIB rocket with HTV-6 resupply mission to Station. nasaspaceflight.com, December 9, 2016, accessed December 10, 2016 .
  40. ↑ Intl. Space Station on Twitter. In: twitter.com. January 27, 2017. Retrieved January 27, 2017 .
  41. ^ Recovered HTV Small Re-entry Capsule was opened for media at JAXA TKSC. JAXA, December 5, 2018, accessed January 19, 2020 .
  42. ↑ Chris Gebhardt: Japan conducts HTV-7 launch to Space Station, test of new recoverable capsule. nasaspaceflight.com, September 22, 2018, accessed September 23, 2018 .
  43. ↑ Stephen Clark: Space station cargo mission grounded by launch pad fire. In: Spaceflight Now. September 10, 2019, accessed September 11, 2019 .
  44. ^ Tariq Malik: Japanese Cargo Ship Leaves Space Station Ahead of US Supply Ship Launch . Space.com, November 1, 2019.
  45. ^ H-IIB launches last HTV mission to International Space Station . Nasaspaceflight.com, May 20, 2020.
  46. ^ Hayashi, Richardson: NASA eyes buying Japan's cargo spacecraft. Reuters, July 20, 2008, accessed December 8, 2008 .
  47. ^ John Yembrick: Statement on Inaccurate Reports About Japanese Cargo Services. NASA, July 21, 2008, accessed December 8, 2008 .
  48. ↑ Stephen Clark: ATV production terminated as decision on follow-on nears. Spaceflightnow, April 2, 2012, accessed April 2, 2012 .
  49. ↑ Thomas Weyrauch: Cygnus gets Japanese proximity control. Raumfahrer.net, October 25, 2009, accessed December 20, 2009 .
  50. ^ Economic Development of Space in JAXA . NASA, Oct. 27, 2015.
  51. ^ A b Concept and Technology of HTV-R: An Advanced Type of H-II Transfer Vehicle
  52. ^ Result of the high-altitude drop test of a simulated small return capsule to establish return technology
Supply spaceships
In use:

Progress  | H-2 Transfer Vehicle  | Dragon 1  | Cygnus  | Tianzhou

In development:

Cargo Dragon 2  | Dream Chaser  | HTV-X  | Chinese multipurpose spaceship

Retired:

TKS  | Space Shuttle  | Automated Transfer Vehicle

Unrealized:

Buran  | LKS  | Hermes  | Kistler K-1 Orbital Vehicle  | Parom

In each case arranged according to the (planned) date of the first flight above 100 km