Society

Japanese spacecraft to deliver supplies to ISS

Sep 24 (NHK) - A Japanese cargo spacecraft, the Kounotori 7, is on its way to deliver supplies to the International Space Station.

The H2B rocket which carried the Kounotori 7 was launched shortly after 2:52 AM Sunday local time in southern Japan.

The Kounotori 7 separated about 15 minutes later as planned.

It is loaded with about 6.2 tons of cargo including a Japanese-made lithium-ion battery, experimental equipment, and daily supplies for the astronauts. The battery is the main power source of the space station.

The spacecraft is also carrying an 80-centimeter-wide capsule.

Scientists will use the capsule to bring back samples from experiments.

The rocket launch had been originally scheduled to take place on September 11th but it was delayed 4 times due to bad weather and a problem with a safety valve.

The Kounotori 7 is scheduled to dock with the International Space Station Thursday night.

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