Author Topic: LIVE: H-IIB HTV-4 - Launch, Berthing and Undocking Updates  (Read 195382 times)

Offline douglas100

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Wonderful video!
Douglas Clark

Offline Targeteer

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HTV is passing under the ISS right now and Houston is assisting the crew in sighting it. 

Can someone explain why HTV is "lapping" the ISS and will apparently complete another chase of ISS before the capture on Friday?

As far as I remember, all other vehicles complete docking or capture as soon as they catch the ISS the first time  ???
Best quote heard during an inspection, "I was unaware that I was the only one who was aware."

Offline zAmboni

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I was able to capture an HTV-4 pass on Sunday morning. I had no clue what I was seeing until I updated Stellarium and it showed the object was the HTV-4.  Was a nice surprise.


HTV-4 - 8/4/13 by zAmb0ni, on Flickr

Offline Targeteer

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From the Aug 5 ISS on orbit update

Over the weekend, Reaction Control System (RCS) and Main Engines thruster testing and leak checks were performed on both strings. All systems were nominal, however, early this afternoon the forward RCS latching valve closed unexpectedly resulting in an an attitude excursion of about 5 degrees. HTV automatically switched from RCS String A to String B and is back in attitude and operating nominally at this time. Preliminary assessment is that this is a sensor issue and not a problem with the actual latch or valve. HTV specialists are currently reviewing the data to understand the issue and to develop a forward plan.
« Last Edit: 08/06/2013 04:33 pm by Targeteer »
Best quote heard during an inspection, "I was unaware that I was the only one who was aware."

Offline Targeteer

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Great 88 degree pass with HTV appearing reddish brown initially and flaring brilliantly briefly to -1 or -2 just after zenith.
Best quote heard during an inspection, "I was unaware that I was the only one who was aware."

Online robertross

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Great 88 degree pass with HTV appearing reddish brown initially and flaring brilliantly briefly to -1 or -2 just after zenith.

I was treated to a 35deg pass; same colour.

Awesome.

Missed the 6 min ISS pass, but have a chance at a 4 min just before bed time :)

Offline Prober

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Great 88 degree pass with HTV appearing reddish brown initially and flaring brilliantly briefly to -1 or -2 just after zenith.

I was treated to a 35deg pass; same colour.

Awesome.

Missed the 6 min ISS pass, but have a chance at a 4 min just before bed time :)

think I might have caught HTV tonight.......  the sw said it was excellent time to see.   on the 7th also
 
 
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Offline Targeteer

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HTV update from the 6 Aug ISS on orbit status update

New Status: H-II Transfer Vehicle 4 (HTV4) Status: Yesterday HTV4 telemetry indicated that the Reaction Control System (RCS)-A latching valve was closed unexpectedly. Ground teams tested the latching valve today and determined that both the latch and RCS-A are working nominally.

They concluded that the anomaly was a transient in the switch that detects the valve open / close status. Currently RCS-B is prime and RCS-A is in a backup mode. HTV4 is flying nominally and no impacts are expected to the planned capture and berthing operations on Friday. Today HTV executed a planned 13 second burn successfully. Also today Lane 2 of the Service Module (SM) [TVM] navigation computer experienced issues. However with 2 good [TVM] lanes still functioning nominally, there is no impact to HTV rendezvous planned for Friday. Russian specialists are investigating the issue.
Best quote heard during an inspection, "I was unaware that I was the only one who was aware."

Online robertross

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I can confirm that HTV-4 is still in hot persuit of the ISS.

a full 6 min pass directly overhead with a clear sky. Once the ISS had gone over the horizon, the HTV-4 appeared. a couple of brilliant flashes as the sun beamed off of it.

One of the best pass oppostunities I've ever experienced for ISS (aside from having a shuttle in the field of view)

Offline Fuji

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KOUNOTORI4 Completes First Height Adjustment Maneuver
http://iss.jaxa.jp/en/htv/mission/htv-4/news/htv4_ham1.html

KOUNOTORI4 completed its first Height Adjustment Maneuver (HAM1) at 2:13 a.m., August 8.
Next height adjustment maneuver is scheduled for completion at 10:39 a.m., August 9.
*All times are Japan Standard Time (JST)
« Last Edit: 08/08/2013 05:19 am by Fuji »

Online PahTo

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Great posts about passes.  HTV trailed a brilliant ISS by about five minutes for a six minute 85+ degree pass last night.  As noted, orange/gold color that flared brilliant white/silver for a second or two as she approached zenith.  Hope to see them in the same sky tonight...

Offline yg1968

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Recent press conference writing up
http://d.hatena.ne.jp/iwamototuka/touch/20130804/p2


Thanks for the link. Is it possible to summarize in English what was said during the press conference about the future of the HTV and HTV-R, the future of the H-IIA / B and about the possibility of Japanese crewed flights?

Google translate does a poor job of translating the text. 
« Last Edit: 08/09/2013 12:48 am by yg1968 »

Offline Fuji

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Recent press conference writing up
http://d.hatena.ne.jp/iwamototuka/touch/20130804/p2


Thanks for the link. Is it possible to summarize in English what was said during the press conference about the future of the HTV and HTV-R, the future of the H-IIA / B and about the possibility of Japanese crewed flights?

Google translate does a poor job of translating the text. 


They have no mention to the future plan for asking the media's question.
HTV are approved for building the HTV5 to HTV7. After HTV7 is no plan now.


Here is interview with Mr. Dai Asou in charge of HTV project.
Japanese space policy is not positive (in obvious negative) for manned space development.
JAXA's person in charge is struggle with this situation for personal effort.
http://www.mitsubishielectric.co.jp/me/dspace/column/c1308_1.html

Offline zAmboni

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We had an ISS pass Wednesday night that I caught on my DSLR, a couple of minutes later I had a faint trail that I assumed was the HTV-4.  Tonight we had another good pass, but half the sky was covered with clouds. The pass reached zenith at 1:04UT Aug 9.  As the ISS neared zenith (was a -4 mag pass), The HTV-4 flared for a couple of seconds trailing the ISS by about 10 degrees.

Offline Fuji

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H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV)-4 Status: HTV’s forward Reaction Control System (RCS)-A oxidizer latch valve  exhibited two recurrences of the unexpected “closed” indication during the past 24 hours. HTV continues to fly on the RCS-B string with RCS-A available as a backup. If this occurs on the RCS-B string during free flight, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) will swap to RCS-A and send a command to override the latch valve status.  If it occurs on RCS-B during Rbar approach, HTV Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) software will detect the failure and swap propulsion strings. JAXA will then send the command to override the latch valve status.  If it occurs on RCS-B during the transition to Free Drift, this transition will fail and HTV will continue to hold at the capture point. JAXA will then send a command to bypass the latch valve status check so that HTV can be commanded to Free Drift for capture. Thus far, this anomaly has only been observed on the RCS-A forward oxidizer latch valve.

http://blogs.nasa.gov/stationreport/2013/08/08/

Online PahTo

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Wow, to watch two spacecraft so close together!  About a second of arc separated ISS and HTV tonight, and sure enough, just prior to zenith, HTV flashed like a bolide for a second or two.  I'll have to stay up for the second 6 minute pass in 90 mins...

Thanks for the updates, Fuji.

Offline Fuji

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KOUNOTORI4 Completes Third Height Adjustment Maneuver
http://iss.jaxa.jp/en/htv/mission/htv-4/news/htv4_ham2.html

KOUNOTORI4 completed its third Height Adjustment Maneuver (HAM2) at 1:44 p.m.,August 9.

KOUNOTORI4 will reach 5km behind the ISS, called the Approach Initiation (AI) point, at 2:31 p.m. JST (05:31 UTC)



Offline Fuji

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KOUNOTORI4 Reaches 5km behind the ISS
http://iss.jaxa.jp/en/htv/mission/htv-4/news/htv4_ai_point.html

KOUNOTORI4 arrived at 5km behind the ISS, called the Approach Initiation (AI) point, at 2:31 p.m., August 9.

At the AI point, KOUNOTORI4 holds its approach and maintains the distance from the ISS while waiting for an approval for further approach to the ISS.

Offline Targeteer

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The crew is awake and asked for clarification of window closure constraints on the daily plan which oddly state they should be closed all day.  Somewhat nebulous guidance from the ground was that that is the intent but that the crew is free to open any windows they deem necessary for situational awareness during HTV capture.  If the crew is free to open the windows, then why list a constraint saying to keep them closed?  ???
Best quote heard during an inspection, "I was unaware that I was the only one who was aware."

Offline Targeteer

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Per morning DPC, Houston confirms HTV at 5 km, in good shape, and that both Houston and the HTV control center (I can't spell it  ;D) are ready for grapple.
« Last Edit: 08/09/2013 07:37 am by Targeteer »
Best quote heard during an inspection, "I was unaware that I was the only one who was aware."

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