Japan’s HTV-X Cargo Spacecraft Completes Mission, Begins Atmospheric Re-entry

Tokyo, March 7 (Jiji Press) – Japan’s newly developed HTV-X resupply vehicle, which had been docked with the International Space Station (ISS), was detached from the station on Saturday, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) announced. The spacecraft will orbit Earth independently for approximately three months before making a controlled re-entry into the atmosphere, during which it will release a microsatellite and conduct a demonstration experiment of a thin and lightweight deployable antenna.

HTV-X: Successor to the Konotori

The HTV-X is an unmanned cargo spacecraft and the successor to the “Konotori” (HTV) series, which successfully completed nine resupply missions to the ISS between 2009 and 2020. Launched aboard an H3 rocket last October, the first HTV-X unit was captured by Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui, 56, using the station’s robotic arm during a long-duration stay at the ISS.

Mission Highlights and Future Experiments

Following its detachment, the HTV-X will deploy a microsatellite into orbit. It will also serve as a platform for testing a new, lightweight deployable antenna, gathering data crucial for future space missions. This demonstration experiment is a key component of the HTV-X’s mission profile, showcasing its capabilities beyond simple cargo delivery.

HTV-X Capabilities and Significance

Like its predecessor, the HTV-X can transport approximately 13,200 pounds (6,000 kilograms) of cargo to low Earth orbit. The initial HTV-X mission delivered around 9,000 pounds (4,080 kg) of supplies, including food, water, and experimental equipment, to the ISS crew.

The HTV-X represents an advancement in Japan’s cargo transportation capabilities, offering increased efficiency and flexibility for resupplying the ISS.

Capture and Berthing Details

The HTV-X was initially captured by the ISS’s Canadarm2 robotic arm, operated by astronaut Yui and NASA astronaut Zena Cardman, on October 29, 2025, at 11:58 a.m. EDT (1558 GMT). It was subsequently berthed to the Harmony module at 20:10 on October 30 (JST).

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