H-2B F7 – Spaceflight Now

New sample return capability launches with Japanese space station freighter

September 22, 2018 Stephen Clark

A Japanese cargo freighter launched Saturday on a five-day trek to the International Space Station, carrying a set of six replacement batteries, an experimental life support system, and a small new landing craft to bring specimens from the space station back to Earth.

Launch of Japan’s seventh HTV supply ship reset for Saturday

September 21, 2018 Stephen Clark

Japanese space officials have rescheduled the launch of an H-2B rocket and a space station-bound HTV supply ship for Saturday after halting a countdown last week due to a propulsion system problem and bypassing a launch opportunity Friday because of a poor weather forecast.

Live coverage: Japanese supply ship launches in pursuit of space station

September 14, 2018 Stephen Clark

Japan’s seventh HTV resupply mission to the International Space Station blasted off from Tanegashima Island on Saturday aboard an H-2B rocket. The unpiloted cargo carrier launched at 1752 GMT (1:52 p.m. EDT), kicking off a nearly five-day pursuit of the space station.

JAXA postpones station cargo launch as typhoon threatens Guam tracking site

September 9, 2018 Stephen Clark

A typhoon forecast to move near a ground station in Guam on Monday has forced officials to postpone the launch of a Japanese HTV cargo ship loaded with more than 13,000 pounds of supplies, experiments and a replacement set of batteries for the International Space Station.