Overview
- Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui captured the spacecraft with Canadarm2 at 11:58 a.m. EDT after a three-and-a-half-day transit, and it was later attached to the outpost.
- The craft launched on an H3 rocket from Tanegashima, with both the launcher and HTV‑X built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
- HTV‑X deployed new solar arrays in orbit and can haul more than 9,000 pounds inside its pressurized module, roughly 25% more than its predecessor.
- The vehicle delivered fresh food, water, and carbon dioxide removal hardware for JAXA demonstration tests supporting future lunar and Mars exploration.
- Officials outlined at least three HTV‑X missions to meet ISS commitments, with the second to attempt automated docking and possible future logistics runs to the planned Gateway.