via @astro_paolo in Flickr
After arriving at the Approach Initiation (AI) point 5km behind the ISS at 07:08 CET, KOUNOTORI2 has resumed its approach toward the ISS at 09:25CET. Approximately one hour later, KOUNOTORI2 will reach 500m below the ISS, called R-bar Initiation (RI) point. From the RI point, KOUNOTORI2 will move closer to the ISS.
The KOUNOTORI2 completed the first Phase Manoeuvre (PM1) at 22:13 JST, January 22. Next HTV2 mission status update will be posted on Monday morning, January 24, 2011.
Kounotori successfully established three-axis attitude [control] at 15:36 JST (7:36 CET). Kounotori's system self-checks are ongoing in preparation for its first phase adjusting manoeuvre, scheduled at 22:08 JST (14:08 CET) today. JAXA have also announced that Kounotori is in full communication with ground controllers at the Tsukuba Space Centre via NASA's data relay satellite system (TDRS). Follow progress via JAXA's HTV-2 news site here.
KOUNOTORI2/H-IIB F2 Successfully Launched
The H-IIB launch vehicle with HTV KOUNOTORI 2 on board was launched from the Tanegashima Space Center at 14:37:57 JST (06:37:57 CET) on 22 January. The launch vehicle flew smoothly, and, at about 15 minutes and 13 seconds after liftoff, the separation of KOUNOTORI 2 was confirmed. KOUNOTORI2 will fly to the ISS, then, on 28 January, it is slated for berthing with the ISS.
via JAXA | KOUNOTORI2/H-IIB Launch Veicle No.2 Special Site.
HTV Control Centre located at JAXA's Tsukuba Space Center (TKSC), Tsukuba, Japan. Credit: JAXA
The new launch date and time of the H-IIB Launch Vehicle No. 2 with the Kounotori 2 cargo vessel on board were set to 14:37:57 JST (07:37:57 CET) on 22 January. The launch was originally scheduled for 20 January.
We will broadcast the live launch report from 05:30 GMT on the 22th. Please join us!
via JAXA | KOUNOTORI2/H-IIB Launch Veicle No.2 Special Site.
The launch of the H-IIB Launch Vehicle No. 2 with the KOUNOTORI (HTV2, a cargo transporter to the International Space Station) has been postponed as unfavorable weather is forecast around the launch time. The new launch day will be no earlier than 22 January. The launch was originally scheduled for 3:29:19 PM JST on January 20. We will announce the new launch day and time as soon as it is decided.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is scheduled to launch an H-IIB rocket from the Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan at 07:29 CET on Thursday, 20 January. The launch vehicle will send the Kounotori H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV2) into orbit on a week-long rendezvous with the station. "Kounotori" is the Japanese word for white stork, emblematic of delivering happiness and joy.
On 27 January, Expedition 26 Flight Engineers Cady Coleman and [ESA's] Paolo Nespoli will command the station's robotic arm, Canadarm2, to reach out, grapple Kounotori, and attach it to the Earth-facing port of the Harmony module.
Via NASA: NASA - NASA TV To Broadcast Japanese Cargo Craft Flight To Space Station.
ATV-2
The planned schedule for ATV-2 docking to the ISS has been evolving in the past days, and it now appears that the forecast date may move up. We heard from Nico Dettmann, ESA's ATV programme manager, late last week who wrote: "The currently planned ATV-2 docking date is 26 February. However, there is a to-be-confirmed request by NASA whether the docking date can be anticipated to 23 February. This change would not impact the launch date." (See more details on the busy comings & goings at the ISS in our earlier post.)
With that in mind, here's a short run-down on foreseen dates relating to ATV and vessels arriving at/departing from the ISS. As always, these dates are subject to change - so you should check back here to the blog regularly... 
