Or, later after HTV departure on schedule, could the EP with old batteries be disposed of (released/pushed retrograde) without risk to the station?
Re: the upcoming battery swap EVAs and HTV-7Two options--are they possible?ONECan HTV-7's departure be delayed until shortly before arrival of Dragon SpX-16, which would berth at the same port? This would give another 2 weeks? to complete the battery change-out EVAs and the battery swaps with the SSRMS.TWOCan HTV-7 unberth and release from ISS, but formation-fly with ISS outside the KOS for an extended period of time? Then, perform a brief re-berthing when the removed, old NiCd batteries are ready for external stowage on HTV, then unberth for the HTV de-orbit? This would have to be when a USOS VV port is available.To state the above in another way: Can this HTV fly an unplanned-for "extended mission" with sufficient consumables to perform:a rendezvous and berthing (already done),depart and operate in a station-keeping orbit with ISS for an extended period,followed by another rendezvous and berthing,followed by another departure,then de-orbit?