The international space station depends on solar panels and nickel hydrogen batteries to maintain its life support, and technical systems. These batteries are now due for replacement by lithium ion ones. The Japanese Kounotori-7 cargo spacecraft was due to lift off today, September 10, 2018 to deliver them. However a typhoon is approaching the downrange tracking station on Guam Island and the launch is delayed.
Kounotori-7’s Role in the International Space Station Program
The Model H-11 transfer vehicle bears the name of Japan’s signature white stork. It is the latest upgrade of a design that first launched in 2009. The symbolic connection is “a white stork carries an image of conveying an important thing (a baby, happiness, and other joyful things)” so it’s a cause for celebration.
The cargo spacecraft is 32 ft. long and 14 ft. in diameter. The total launch-weight is 15.6 tons with a full load. Once aligned with the international space station, the crew will use a robotic arm to place it in the open berthing port in the Harmony module. Thereafter, the incredibly brave space station crew will perform spacewalks to swap out the batteries and receive the rest of the 13,000 lb. delivery.
International Space Station on Tenterhooks with Timing
The delivery vehicle must launch with the right alignment to the international space station. Thereafter, it takes several days for the two spacecraft to rendezvous. This could be as early as September 16 if the flight only postpones by a few days.
The station’s giant exterior batteries store power from huge 240-ft. solar array wings. The replacement lithium batteries are the second set of six due for delivery. Installation of the previous batch required two separate spacewalks to swap out and install them. The entire unloading and reloading process will take two months.
Thereafter, the white stork will fly away and descend to the ocean in a fireball of friction. Everything will burn out, including the old nickel hydrogen batteries that performed faithfully to the end.
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Preview Image: Earlier Delivery to Space Station by Kounotori Vehicle
