Overview
- The H3 rocket lifted off Oct. 25 from Tanegashima, placed HTV-X1 into its planned orbit, and the spacecraft deployed its solar arrays.
- Arrival is targeted for Oct. 29 with capture and berthing by Canadarm2 operated by Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui.
- HTV-X1 is carrying station hardware, experiments, supplies, and six cubesats slated for deployment from the Kibo module.
- JAXA plans a stay of up to six months followed by about three months of in-orbit tech demonstrations, including a cubesat release, a laser retroreflector test, and deployment of a flat-panel antenna with solar cells.
- The flight introduces Japan’s redesigned cargo vehicle with greater pressurized volume, higher power, faster loading, and refrigerated transport, launched on an H3 variant reported as the 24W configuration.