KOUNOTORI-5 ( HTV-5 )

The HTV-5 was successfully launched to the International Space Station on Aug 19, 2015 from the Yoshinobu Launch Complex in Tanegashima, Japan.

This is JAXA's (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) fifth unmanned space vehicle for International Space Station (ISS) re-supply and waste cargo disposal. HTV-1 , HTV-2, HTV-3 and HTV-4 were successfully launched in 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively.

For this mission, the HTV-5 will carry the CALET payload, that stands for Calorimetric Electron Telescope. The CALET will give ISS a second state-of-the-art particle detector operating alongside the Alpha-Magnetic Spectrometer 2 to support the search for dark matter signatures and to examine the mechanisms behind energetic cosmic rays. 

KOUNOTORI5 delivers new experiment devices including the Mouse Habitat Unit (MHU), Electrostatic Levitation Furnace (ELF), the Multi-purpose Small Payload Rack2 (MSPR-2), CubeSats, and the Exposed Experiment Handrail Attachment Mechanism (ExHAM), etc. and provides various experiment opportunities to increase the use of space environment.

It is important for the safe ISS operations to clarify how the HTV’s electric potential changes when it is berthed to the ISS and how it affects the electric potential of the ISS. For this reason, a surface potential sensor called “ATOTIE-mini” (Advanced Technology On-orbit Test Instrument for space Environment - mini) was installed to the surface body of KOUNOTORI4 to collect the data.

On KOUNOTORI5, an upgraded sensor with more functions, the KOUNOTORI Advanced SPace Environment Research equipment (KASPER) is installed. In addition to the surface potential sensor that was also installed to KOUNOTORI4, KASPER is equipped with plasma current measurement equipment and two kinds of debris detectors: Chiba-koudai Debris Monitor (CDM) and the Space Debris Monitor (SDM).

The assembly manual of the HTV-5 "Kounotori5" can be downloaded from page HTV-1.

Source: Spaceflight101.com

1:100 Draft scale model shown

Kounotori-5 with KASPER experiment

HTV-5 Pallet (CALET payload)

In preparation for the arrival of the CALET payload, the Japanese Exposed Facility was configured with the relocation of the SEDA-AP payload. Port EFU9 will be assigned for CALET.

ISS - HTV5 Configuration 2015

Source: JAXA website

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