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Japan's space freighter lifts off Japan's space freighter in orbit
(11 minutes later)
Japan has launched its new space freighter from the Tanegashima base in the south of the country. Japan has successfully launched its new space freighter from the Tanegashima base in the south of the country.
The 16.5-tonne unmanned H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) will haul cargo to the International Space station (ISS). The 16.5-tonne unmanned H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) is on a mission to re-supply the space station.
Its success is vitally important to the station project, which is set to lose the servicing capability of the US shuttle fleet next year. Its role is vitally important to the station project, which is set to lose the servicing capability of the US shuttle fleet next year.
The freighter left Earth atop an H-IIB rocket at 0201 local time on Friday (1701 GMT, Thursday).The freighter left Earth atop an H-IIB rocket at 0201 local time on Friday (1701 GMT, Thursday).
The flight to orbit was due to take some 15 minutes. Separation from the rocket's upper-stage was confirmed some 15 minutes later.
The HTV mission will be directed by engineers in Tsukuba, Japan, and at the US space agency's (Nasa) mission control in Houston. The HTV mission is being directed by engineers in Tsukuba, Japan, and at the US space agency's (Nasa) mission control in Houston.
It will be commanded to conduct a number of tests of its navigation and rendezvous systems before making a close approach to the ISS. It must conduct a number of tests of its navigation and rendezvous systems before making a close approach to the international platform.
Docking is not expected to take place until at least day eight of the mission.Docking is not expected to take place until at least day eight of the mission.
The vehicle is carrying 4.5 tonnes of supplies for the space station. The vehicle is carrying about 4.5 tonnes of cargo.
Length: 9.8m; Diameter: 4.4m; Vehicle Mass: 10.5t; Max cargo: 6tPressurised cargo: Food, clothing, water, laptops, science equipment, etcExternal cargo: Equipment to study Earth's oceans and the atmosphereFirst unmanned vehicle to deliver both pressurised and unpressurised cargoLength: 9.8m; Diameter: 4.4m; Vehicle Mass: 10.5t; Max cargo: 6tPressurised cargo: Food, clothing, water, laptops, science equipment, etcExternal cargo: Equipment to study Earth's oceans and the atmosphereFirst unmanned vehicle to deliver both pressurised and unpressurised cargo
Jonathan.Amos-INTERNET@bbc.co.ukJonathan.Amos-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk