Kounotori 6

Major changes from previous Kounotori include:{{cite web|url=http://www.mext.go.jp/b_menu/shingi/gijyutu/gijyutu2/060/shiryo/__icsFiles/afieldfile/2016/07/08/1374186_2.pdf|script-title=ja:宇宙ステーション補給機「こうのとり」6号機(ＨＴＶ6)の概要(その2)|language=Japanese|publisher=JAXA|website=宇宙開発利用部会 調査・安全小委員会(第19回)配付資料|date=1 July 2016|access-date=10 July 2016}}{{cite web |url=http://www.mext.go.jp/b_menu/shingi/gijyutu/gijyutu2/060/shiryo/__icsFiles/afieldfile/2016/07/08/1374186_3.pdf|script-title=ja:宇宙ステーション補給機「こうのとり」6号機(HTV6)の接近・係留・離脱フェーズに係る安全検証結果について|language=Japanese|publisher=JAXA|website=宇宙開発利用部会 調査・安全小委員会(第19回)配付資料|date=1 July 2016|access-date=10 July 2016}}

• Built-in payloads to demonstrate new technologies: SFINKS and KITE, described below.
• Reduction of primary batteries to 6 from the previous 7.
• Reduction of solar cell panels to 48 from previous 49.
• Omission of some of navigation/position lights which were Earth-side when approaching to ISS.
• Strengthened EP (Exposed Pallet) maximum payload to 1900 kg from the previous 1600 kg to carry Lithium-ion batteries.

SFINKS (Solar Cell Film Array Sheet for Next Generation on Kounotori Six) will test thin film solar cells in space.{{cite web|url=http://www.ard.jaxa.jp/research_fy27/dengen/den-sub4_2.html|title=研究成果(より詳細な研究内容)|publisher=JAXA Research and Development Directorate|language=Japanese|access-date=2016-07-07|archive-date=14 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160714181041/http://www.ard.jaxa.jp/research_fy27/dengen/den-sub4_2.html|url-status=dead}}

KITE (Kounotori Integrated Tether Experiment) was an experimental electrodynamic tether (EDT).{{cite web|url=http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2013/09/20130904_htv_j.pdf|title=HTV搭載導電性テザー実証実験の検討状況について|publisher=JAXA|language=Japanese|date=2013-09-04|access-date=26 December 2014}}{{cite web |url=http://response.jp/article/2013/09/09/205929.html|title=JAXA、宇宙ゴミ除去技術の確立に向け「こうのとり」利用|publisher=Response staff|language=Japanese|date=2013-09-09|access-date=21 March 2015}} The tether was equipped with a 20 kg end-mass, and would have been 700 m long when deployed,{{cite web|title=Japan tests innovative magnetic tether for slowing space junk |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-38265676|work=BBC News|access-date=25 January 2017|date=9 December 2016}}{{cite web|title=HTV-KITE Experiment – HTV-6 {{!}} Spaceflight101|url=http://spaceflight101.com/htv-6/htv-kite-experiment/|website=spaceflight101.com|access-date=26 January 2017}} Unfortunately deployment failed, but useful data was still gathered from some of the instruments.{{cite journal | last1 = Ohkawa | first1 = Yasushi | last2 = Kawamoto | first2 = Satomi | date = 2020 | title = Review of KITE – Electrodynamic tether experiment on the H-II Transfer Vehicle | url = https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0094576520301429 | journal = Acta Astronautica | volume = 177 | pages = 750–758 | doi = 10.1016/j.actaastro.2020.03.014 | access-date = 2023-08-20}} A maximum current of 10 mA was planned to run through the tether. Kounotori's ISS rendezvous sensor would have been utilized to measure how the end-mass moves during the test. The EDT experiment was scheduled following Kounotori 6's departure from the ISS, with a planned duration of one week. After the experiment, the tether would have been separated before the spacecraft proceeds with the de-orbit maneuvers. The main objective of this experiment were the orbital demonstration of both extending an uncoated bare-tether, and driving electric currents through the EDT. These two technologies will contribute to gaining capabilities to remove space debris.{{cite web|title=Japan launching 'space junk' collector (Update)|url=https://phys.org/news/2016-12-japan-space-junk-collector.html|access-date=24 January 2017}}{{cite web|title=Japan launches 'space junk' collector |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/science/Japan-launches-space-junk-collector/articleshow/55904909.cms|work=The Times of India|access-date=24 January 2017}}{{cite web|title=Japanese spacecraft will test space junk collector on its way to the ISS – ExtremeTech|url=https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/241016-japanese-spacecraft-will-test-space-junk-collector-way-iss|publisher=ExtremeTech|access-date=25 January 2017|date=14 December 2016}}

Kounotori 6 carries about 5900 kg of cargo (including the support structure weight), consisting of 3900 kg in PLC (Pressurized Logistics Carrier) and 1900 kg in ULC (Unpressurized Logistics Carrier).

Cargo in the pressurized compartment includes 30 bags filled with potable water (600 liters),{{cite web|url=http://iss.jaxa.jp/topics/2016/06/htv6_160602.html|script-title=ja:「こうのとり」6号機へのISSバッテリ搭載作業、水充填装置のプレス公開|language=Japanese|publisher=JAXA|date=3 June 2016|access-date=3 June 2016}}{{cite AV media|script-title=ja:国際宇宙ステーション用バッテリ・飲料水充填装置説明会|language=Japanese|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Muq27WOh7u4|publisher=NVS|date=1 June 2016|access-date=3 June 2016}} food, crew commodities, CDRA Bed (Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly), TPF (Two-Phase Flow) experiment unit, PS-TEPC (Position-Sensitive Tissue Equivalent Proportional Chamber) radiation measurement instrument, ExHAM (Exposed Experiment Handrail Attachment Mechanism), HDTV-EF2 high-definition and 4K camera, new J-SSOD (JEM Small Satellite Orbital Deployer), and CubeSats (AOBA-Velox III, TuPOD which comprises two TubeSats (Tancredo-1 and OSNSAT), EGG, ITF-2, STARS-C, FREEDOM, WASEDA-SAT3).{{cite web|url=http://iss.jaxa.jp/kiboexp/news/161107_cubesats_unveiled.html|script-title=ja:「こうのとり」6号機に搭載する超小型衛星7基を公開しました|language=Japanese|publisher=JAXA|date=7 November 2016 |access-date=8 November 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.gaussteam.com/tupod-almost-ready-for-launch/|title=TuPOD almost ready for launch|publisher=Group of Aerodynamics for the Use of Space Systems|date=27 July 2016|access-date=8 November 2016}} Cargo by NanoRacks includes TechEdSat-5,{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/NanoRacks/status/807200792738496512|title=NanoRacks|date=9 December 2016|access-date=11 December 2016}} CubeRider,{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/NanoRacks/status/807205727572029440|title=NanoRacks|date=9 December 2016|access-date=11 December 2016}} RTcMISS,{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/NanoRacks/status/807208500640284672|title=NanoRacks|date=9 December 2016|access-date=11 December 2016}} NREP-P DM7,{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/NanoRacks/status/807212048987914240|title=NanoRacks|date=9 December 2016|access-date=11 December 2016}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/2173.html|title=NanoRacks-DM (NanoRacks-DM) – 11.23.16|publisher=NASA|access-date=11 December 2016}} {{PD-notice}} four Lemur-2.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/NanoRacks/status/807280763481849856|title=NanoRacks|date=10 December 2016|access-date=11 December 2016}} Additionally, the Blue SPHERES satellite of the MIT Space Systems Laboratory is being returned to the ISS for continued autonomous systems research.{{cite web|url=https://www.nasa.gov/content/spheres-blue-satellite-repair-complete|title=SPHERES Blue Satellite Repair Complete|publisher=NASA Ames Research Center|date=6 October 2016|access-date=6 April 2020}} {{PD-notice}}

Cargo in the unpressurized compartment consists of six lithium-ion batteries and their associated adapter plates to replace existing nickel-hydrogen batteries of the International Space Station. Since each of the new lithium-ion battery has a capability equivalent to two of the current nickel-hydrogen batteries, the six new batteries will replace twelve old batteries, out of the 48 existing batteries of the ISS.

On departure from the ISS, Kounotori 6 carries 9 out of the 12 replaced old batteries which will be disposed of by destructive reentry into Earth's atmosphere. The 3 remaining old batteries stay on the ISS.

On 26 July 2016, the launch was scheduled for 30 September 2016,{{cite web|url=http://global.jaxa.jp/press/2016/07/20160726_h2bf6.html|title=Launch of the H-II Transfer Vehicle "KOUNOTORI6" (HTV6) aboard the H-IIB Launch Vehicle No. 6|publisher=JAXA|date=26 July 2016|access-date=10 August 2016}} but on 10 August 2016, postponement was announced due to the leak from piping.{{cite web|url=http://global.jaxa.jp/press/2016/08/20160810_h2bf6.html|title=Launch Postponement of H-IIB Launch Vehicle No. 6 with H-II Transfer Vehicle "KOUNOTORI6" (HTV6) Onboard|publisher=JAXA|date=10 August 2016 |access-date=10 August 2016}}

The H-IIB launch vehicle carrying Kounotori 6 lifted off at 13:26:47 UTC on 9 December 2016, and 15 minutes 11 seconds later, Kounotori 6 was released into initial 200 × 300 km orbit.{{cite web |url=http://global.jaxa.jp/press/2016/12/20161210_h2bf6.html|title=Launch success of the H-IIB Launch Vehicle No. 6 (H-IIB F6) with the H-II Transfer Vehicle "KOUNOTORI6" on board|date=10 December 2016|access-date=10 December 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2016/10/files/20161007_h2bf6.pdf|script-title=ja:H-II B・F6平成28年度ロケット打上げ計画書宇宙ステーション補給機｢こうのとり｣6号機(HTV6)／H-IIBロケット6号機(H-IIB・F6)|publisher=JAXA|date=October 2016|access-date=10 December 2016}}

SFINKS experiment payload began the data collection at 14:16, on 9 December 2016, but it stopped unexpectedly after 509 seconds.{{cite web|url=http://www.ard.jaxa.jp/pickup/pickup-2016.html|script-title=ja:「薄膜太陽電池フィルムアレイシートモジュール軌道上実証システム(SFINKS)」の状況について|language=Japanese|publisher=JAXA|date=2016|access-date=17 December 2016|archive-date=30 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170130190443/http://www.ard.jaxa.jp/pickup/pickup-2016.html|url-status=dead}}

After a series of orbital manoeuvres, Kounotori 6 arrived to the proximity of ISS and captured by SSRMS (Canadarm2) at 10:39 (10:37 according to NASA), on 13 December 2016.{{cite web|url=http://iss.jaxa.jp/en/htv/news/htv6_capture.html|title=SSRMS captures KOUNOTORI6|publisher=JAXA|date=13 December 2016|access-date=17 December 2016}}{{cite web |url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/stationreport/2016/12/13/iss-daily-summary-report-12132016/|title=ISS Daily Summary Report – 12/13/2016|publisher=NASA|date=13 December 2016|access-date=17 December 2016}} {{PD-notice}} Kounotori was bolted to the CBM (Common Berthing Mechanism) of the Harmony nadir port by 13:48 UTC.{{cite web |url=http://iss.jaxa.jp/en/htv/news/htv6_latch.html|title=KOUNOTORI6 fastened to Harmony with CBM bolts|date=14 December 2016|publisher=JAXA|access-date=17 December 2016}}

Berthing operation completed at 18:24, on 13 December 2016 UTC,{{cite web|url=http://iss.jaxa.jp/en/htv/news/htv6_activation.html|title=ISS crew concludes Kounotori 6 berthing operations|publisher=JAXA |date=14 December 2016|access-date=17 December 2016}} and the hatch opened at 19:44 UTC.{{cite web|url=http://iss.jaxa.jp/en/htv/news/htv6_1214.html|title=Kounotori 6 hatch opening and crew ingress |date=14 December 2016|access-date=17 December 2016}}

Since 07:44, 14 December 2016, Exposed Pallet (EP) was extracted from Unpressurised Logistics Carrier (ULC) of Kounotori 6 by SSRMS and transferred to Payload and ORU Accommodation (POA).{{cite web|url=http://iss.jaxa.jp/en/htv/news/htv6_ep_1214.html|title=Transfer of the Exposed Pallet (EP) begins|publisher=JAXA|date=14 December 2016|access-date=17 December 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/stationreport/2016/12/14/iss-daily-summary-report-12142016/|title=ISS Daily Summary Report – 12/14/2016|publisher=NASA|date=14 December 2016|access-date=17 December 2016}} {{PD-notice}} After a combination of two Extra-Vehicular Activities and robotic operations, the lithium-ion battery units and adapter plates were installed. The Exposed Pallet carrying old Nickel-hydrogen battery units was returned to Kounotori 6's Unpresurised Logistics Carrier on 23 January 2017.{{cite web |url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/stationreport/2017/01/23/|title=ISS Daily Summary Report – 1/23/2017|work=ISS On-Orbit Status Report|publisher=NASA|date=23 January 2017|access-date=29 January 2017}} {{PD-notice}}

SSRMS grappled and detached Kounotori 6 from the CBM of Harmony nadir port at 10:59, 27 January 2017,{{cite web |url=http://iss.jaxa.jp/en/htv/news/htv6_unberthed.html|title=KOUNOTORI6 was unberthed from the nadir port of Harmony (Node 2) by the SSRMS|publisher=JAXA|date=27 January 2017|access-date=29 January 2017}} and Kounotori 6 was released at 15:45, on 27 January 2017.{{cite web|url=http://iss.jaxa.jp/en/htv/news/htv6_leaves.html|title=KOUNOTORI6 Leaves the ISS|publisher=JAXA|date=28 January 2017 |access-date=29 January 2017}}

Following the undocking after moving to a safe distance from ISS, the Kounotori 6 was to demonstrate the "Kounotori Integrated Tether Experiment" (KITE) using electrodynamic tether to demonstrate

space debris removal technology.{{cite web|url=http://www.ard.jaxa.jp/eng/research/kite/kite.html|title=On-orbit demonstration of electrodynamic tether on the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV)(Kounotori Integrated Tether Experiments (KITE))|publisher=JAXA|access-date=29 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206211948/http://www.ard.jaxa.jp/eng/research/kite/kite.html|archive-date=6 February 2017|url-status=dead}} This experiment was planned for seven days before reentry to the Earth's atmosphere. On 31 January 2017, media reported some problems in extending the tether, bringing to doubt the experiment's success.{{cite web|url=http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/iss/japanese-tether-experiment-hits-snag/ |title=Japanese tether experiment hits snag|publisher=spaceflightinsider|date=31 January 2017|access-date=1 February 2017}}

A series of deorbit manoeuvres were performed at 08:42, 10:12, and 14:42 UTC, on 5 February 2017.{{cite web|url=http://iss.jaxa.jp/en/htv/news/htv6_dom1.html|title=KOUNOTORI6 performed its first de-orbit maneuvers for reentry|publisher=JAXA|date=5 February 2017|access-date=6 February 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://iss.jaxa.jp/en/htv/news/htv6_dom2.html|title=KOUNOTORI6 performed its second de-orbit maneuver for reentry|date=5 February 2017|publisher=JAXA|access-date=6 February 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://iss.jaxa.jp/en/htv/news/htv6_dom3.html|title=KOUNOTORI6 performed its third de-orbit maneuver for reentry|publisher=JAXA|date=5 February 2017|access-date=6 February 2017}} Kounotori 6 reentered to Earth atmosphere over southern Pacific Ocean around 15:06 UTC, on 5 February 2017.

{{Portal|Spaceflight}}

{{reflist|refs=

{{cite web|url=http://fanfun.jaxa.jp/countdown/htv6/files/htv6_press_kit.pdf|script-title=ja:宇宙ステーション補給機「こうのとり」6号機（HTV6）【ミッションプレスキット】|language=Japanese |publisher=JAXA|date=24 November 2016|access-date=3 December 2016}}

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{{commons category|HTV-6}}

• [http://www.jaxa.jp/projects/rockets/htv/index_e.html JAXA HTV page] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014013807/http://www.jaxa.jp/projects/rockets/htv/index_e.html |date=14 October 2013 }}
• [http://iss.jaxa.jp/en/htv/mission/htv-6/ HTV6 Mission], JAXA
• [http://www.ard.jaxa.jp/publication/pamphlets/pdf/saizensen6.pdf 宇宙開発最前線！ Vol.6] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005003701/http://www.ard.jaxa.jp/publication/pamphlets/pdf/saizensen6.pdf |date=5 October 2015 }} (PDF) {{in lang|ja}}

• [http://jda.jaxa.jp/category_p.php?lang=e&page=&category1=1&category2=23&category3=604&page_pics=50 Kounotori 6] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170117111327/http://jda.jaxa.jp/category_p.php?lang=e&page=&category1=1&category2=23&category3=604&page_pics=50 |date=17 January 2017 }} – JAXA Digital Archives
• [http://jda.jaxa.jp/result.php?lang=j&id=eb1e2a4896054cb3372ac7884b25396f HTV-6 & KITE]
• [http://jda.jaxa.jp/result.php?lang=j&id=371d2e4a9c24ea3a1e786fee68af1bc2 HTV-6 & KITE]

{{H-II Transfer Vehicles}}

{{Uncrewed ISS flights}}

{{Orbital launches in 2016}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kounotori 6}}

Category:Spacecraft launched in 2016

Category:H-II Transfer Vehicles

Category:2016 in Japan

Category:Spacecraft which reentered in 2017