Japanese cargo vehicle successfully connected to int'l space station

Friday 18th September, 11:55 AM JST

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888naff at 07:31 PM JST - 18th September

capture video: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8262085.stm

lift off video - with its seems different counting in English than Japanese - maybe just the translator - I quite like the Japanese countdown, sounds more like a this thing will self destruct kind of count down: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8249357.stm
888naff at 07:32 PM JST - 18th September

http://iss.jaxa.jp/en/htv/index.html
japaneseno1 at 10:40 PM JST - 18th September

i always want to know if japanese think japan is more developed than germany as germany never developed a rocket alone.
japaneseno1 at 10:41 PM JST - 18th September

i think no 1 is usa, no 2 is japan, no 3 is germany.
Sarge at 10:49 PM JST - 18th September

Excellent. This give me hope that before I die I'll see a space station like the one envisioned in 2001: A Space Odyssey.
mushroomcloud at 01:41 AM JST - 19th September

japaneseno,

Japan doesn't have a manned space program, which is the barometer for rankings.

As it stands, #1 is the US, #2 is Russia, and #3 is China. These 3 countries make up the 1st tier of space powers since they actually have proven manned space programs.

Everyone else, and yes, that includes Japan, belongs to the 2nd tier of nations which do not have proven manned space programs. Japan might be considered at the top of the 2nd tier, competing with the likes of France and India.
888naff at 01:45 AM JST - 19th September

"germany never developed a rocket alone" mmm :-) didn't they start all this back in ww2 with rocket missiles and then with early development work for the American space program.

Anyway I think whether someone thinks one country is "better" than another usually has little to do with space programs.
Fadamor at 04:17 AM JST - 19th September

Yeah, the V2 ballistic missile program developed in Germany during WWII was far more advanced than anything the US had at the time. After the war, Dr. Werner Von Braun (who worked on the V2 program) emigrated from Germany to the US and helped develop the US's space program. So Germany HAD the lead over everyone, but lost it when they lost the war.

Kudos to the Japanese Space Program for getting the payload on-target and in one piece. Another option for getting supplies to the ISS is now available!
Smythe at 04:43 AM JST - 19th September

True I have not been reading all the Space information or even hearing it on the TV/Radio. Probably because my right ear is totally deaf & my left ear is down to my guessing of only 20%. Obviously I prefer to see something in print. So last evening, I got to thinking how will this space vessle make it down, then realized for some time the Americans had theirs land in the ocean help of guidence to parachute. Guess the Japanese can do the same till they think up something better & FEEL they will come up with what is needed. Still admit this is an amazing achivement upon Japan.
rgetty at 12:51 PM JST - 20th September

The Germans used information from and American at the time, the Germans asked them after the war why they didnt use the guy, I forgot his name. The Chinese would be nowhere without copying everything from the Russians. I am not sure about the Japanese if its homegrown tech or borrowed from someone else, knowing the Japanese history I am willing to bet borrowed. The new Korean rocket can thank the Russians also.
UnagiDon at 09:46 PM JST - 20th September

. I am not sure about the Japanese if its homegrown tech or borrowed from someone else, knowing the Japanese history I am willing to bet borrowed.

Something as complex as the HTV is made of a lot of components, from a lot of different sources, so it's impossible to say how much is "borrowed" and how much is indigenous. What we can say is that no one has put together a spacecraft like this before, so it is an "original" vehicle with some unique capabilities, and a great help to the ISS.
mushroomcloud at 04:51 AM JST - 21st September

Borrowed tech or not, Japan's latest feat is a nice achievement. Now if you can stick some humans in that cargo vehicle and send it to dock with the ISS, and have a return module to bring back some Japanese astronauts to earth, Japan will join the elite club of manned space faring nations.
LaughingatMarx at 09:06 AM JST - 21st September

Humanity should continue to explore space. I agree with this writer. http://scienceray.com/technology/why-humanity-should-still-be-going-to-space/
rgetty at 11:40 AM JST - 21st September

I agree that the HTV was unique but it almost seems a step backwards, other pods flew to the ISS and docked themselves, having to operate a robotic arm to grab it is unique but not very high tech in my view.
Kwaabish at 12:10 PM JST - 21st September

It's still miles above the NK supposed "Sattelite" which is apparently playing loop recorded songs praising the troll king, somewhere at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean... or wait, is it supposed to be in orbit? My XM Radio didn't quite pick up that channel...