Japan launched a cargo supply ship to ISS

Japan is ready to launch an unmanned cargo supply ship to the International Space Station at 2:06 pm on July 20 (GMT), or 11 am on Saturday (July 21).

The H-2 Transfer spacecraft Vehicle-3 (HTV-3), is the third Japanese ship designed to serve flights to orbit labs.

Japanese HTV-2 spacecraft connected to ISS in January 2011 (Photo: Space.com)

HTV-3 will take off from the launching pad of Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan.

Japan's H-2B missile takes on the mission of bringing HTV-3 into orbit. This is the second launch of Japan this week. Earlier, the Russian Soyuz had left the launch pad on July 15 to bring three astronauts on duty on the ISS including a Japanese member.

The latest Japanese spaceship, nicknamed 'White Stork 3', will take about a week to reach ISS. The ship is expected to dock on July 27.

Weighing in at 16, 5 tons, HTV-3 brings 4 tons of supplies, laboratory equipment and 2 science projects designed by 2 teen students to win the Space Lab contest on Youtube.

In addition, the ship also carries the ISERV camera system designed to observe the Earth. ISERV is responsible for monitoring specific areas around the world for disaster analysis and environmental research. The system will be installed in the Destiny laboratory of the station after a successful connection.

Reference: Space