Japan’s new HTV-X cargo spacecraft has successfully blasted off on its first-ever mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
HTV-X, also known as the New Space Station Resupply Vehicle, is an uncrewed cargo spacecraft developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (Jaxa).
The HTV-X1 is the first demonstration mission of the HTV-X, which launched into space atop the H3 launch vehicle from Japan’s Tanegashima Space Center on 26 October 2025.
Jaxa reported that the launch went as planned, with HTV-X1 separating from the launch vehicle approximately 14 minutes after lift off.
Talking to reporters, Jaxa president Hiroshi Yamakawa called the launch “a major step forward” that demonstrated Japan’s capability of delivering supplies to space, which serves as “the basis of autonomous space activity”.
HTV-X1 is scheduled to arrive at the ISS on 30 October. On arrival, it will be captured by Canadarm2, a 17-metre robotic arm operated by the ISS crew, and berthed to the Harmony module’s...