On this day in 2009, Japan’s HTV-1 was launched on a maiden flight to resupply the International Space Station. HTV-1 arrived seven days later, and was grappled by the station’s Canadarm and docked to the Harmony port.
This mission solidified Japan’s place as a critical partner of the ISS, and continued a long legacy of technical expertise in Japan’s aerospace sector. Japan’s HTV-5 spacecraft docked with the ISS late last month, and continued a record of perfect resupply missions conducted by JAXA, Japan’s aerospace agency.
Learn more about the HTV here.
