HTV Small Return Capsule – Spaceflight Now

Japanese cargo capsule succeeds in re-entry tech demo

November 20, 2018 Stephen Clark

A miniature cargo return vehicle carried aboard a Japanese supply ship splashed down in the Pacific Ocean earlier this month in the first test of a new capsule to bring home experiment samples from the International Space Station.

Japanese cargo ship reaches space station

September 27, 2018 William Harwood

A Japanese cargo ship loaded with more than 10,000 pounds of supplies and equipment, including a new set of solar array batteries, was captured by the International Space Station’s robot arm early Thursday to wrap up a trouble-free rendezvous.

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.