Advertisement

Updated September 26th, 2019 at 18:54 IST

Japan launches 'biggest cargo spaceship' to replenish supplies at ISS

Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries launched its cargo vessel Kounotori8 to the International Space Station to replenish supplies and batteries there.

Japan
| Image:self
Advertisement

Facilitating in replenishing essential supplies at the International Space station (ISS), Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), on Wednesday, launched its cargo vessel Kounotori8 to the ISS from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Tanegashima Space Center, according to the company's press release. The Kounotori8 is claimed to be the 'the world's biggest transport space ship' by Japan's space agency JAXA. The cargo vessel was launched using an H-IIB rocket at 1:05 AM (local time) from the Tanegashima island in Japan, according to a press release. It stated that the launch was previously scheduled on September 10.

READ | NASA Head Bridenstine says security needed to explore space safely

Japan launches world's biggest transport spaceship to ISS

The launch was completed successfully and as planned, the payload separated from the launch vehicle, about 15 minutes later, stated MHI. The unpiloted cargo ship carried more than 4 tons of supplies, batteries, and a prototype laser-communications system, according to reports. MHI is reportedly the prime contractor for the Japanese H-IIB rocket. The launch was successful in its first liftoff attempt itself - a month after its delay due to a fire in the launchpad.

READ | NASA Seals Megadeal With Lockheed For Its Manned Moon Mission

Sept 10 initial launch cancelled

According to international reports, the earlier launch on September 11 was cancelled after a fire broke out on the launch platform a few hours before launch. Reports quote MHI saying that the fire had likely occurred due to static electricity generated when liquid oxygen from the rocket came into contact with heat-resistant material on the launchpad. MHI had reportedly stated that the material has now been covered with aluminum sheets to prevent a recurrence. MHI added that on the scheduled launch day, there were unusually low winds at Tanegashima, which complicated the launch. 

READ | NASA Captures Images Of Chandrayaan 2's Moon Landing Site: Official

NASA assures sufficient supply

Following the scrapping of the cargo vessel's launch on September 10, NASA had issued a statement reassuring that the space station crew remained well-supplied inspite of the delay. While NASA stated its confidence, the successful launch of the cargo vessel does spell relief to the ISS. Three additional astronauts -  Russian cosmonaut Oleg Skripochka, NASA astronaut Jessica Meir and Hazza Al Mansouri of the United Arab Emirates are set soon join the ISS crew. The replenished stock and batteries will aid the expanded crew soon.

READ | NASA Deep Space Network Continuously Beaming At ISRO's Vikram Lander

Advertisement

Published September 26th, 2019 at 18:42 IST

Your Voice. Now Direct.

Send us your views, we’ll publish them. This section is moderated.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending Quicks

Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir
a few seconds ago
Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Rajya Sabha MP Keshava Rao is set to join the Congress party.
3 minutes ago
Byju's leadership dispute
5 minutes ago
Pulkit Samrat
11 minutes ago
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE
12 minutes ago
Xiaomi 14 Ultra
13 minutes ago
Sunita Kejriwal urged people to send ‘messages of support’ to Delhi CM
14 minutes ago
Allu Arjun Unveils His Wax Statue At Madame Tussauds In Dubai
15 minutes ago
Piyush Kumar, GATE 2024 CSIT Topper
18 minutes ago
A poster of Crew
20 minutes ago
How to Keep Yourself Safe from Unhealthy Air?
22 minutes ago
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Whatsapp logo