# Kounotori 2

> cargo resupply spacecraft for the International Space Station

**Wikidata**: [Q3267958](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3267958)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kounotori_2)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kounotori-2

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for **Kounotori 2**:

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## Summary  
Kounotori 2 (also known as HTV-2) was a Japanese automated cargo spacecraft designed to resupply the International Space Station (ISS). Launched in 2011, it was the second mission of the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) class, delivering supplies and equipment to the ISS before its controlled re-entry into Earth's atmosphere.

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## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: January 22, 2011, at 05:37:57 UTC from Yoshinobu Launch Complex Launch Pad 2.  
- **Launch Vehicle**: H-IIB (H-IIB-F2), an expendable Japanese rocket.  
- **Operator**: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).  
- **Docking Port**: ISS Harmony module (nadir and zenith positions at different times).  
- **Mission Duration**: Docked with the ISS from January 27 to March 28, 2011.  
- **Re-entry**: March 30, 2011, at 03:09 UTC.  
- **Preceded by**: HTV-1 (Kounotori 1).  
- **Succeeded by**: Kounotori 3.  
- **COSPAR ID**: 2011-003A.  

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## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Kounotori 2?  
A: Kounotori 2 was a cargo resupply mission to the ISS, transporting food, equipment, and scientific experiments for the crew.  

### Q: How long did Kounotori 2 stay docked to the ISS?  
A: It remained attached to the ISS for approximately two months, from January 27 to March 28, 2011.  

### Q: What happened to Kounotori 2 after its mission?  
A: It was intentionally deorbited and burned up during re-entry into Earth's atmosphere on March 30, 2011.  

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## Why It Matters  
Kounotori 2 played a critical role in maintaining the ISS's operational capabilities by delivering essential supplies and scientific payloads. As part of Japan's HTV program, it demonstrated Japan's ability to contribute to international space logistics, complementing cargo missions by other nations. The mission also tested key technologies for future spacecraft, such as docking procedures and cargo transfer systems. Its success reinforced Japan's position in global space collaboration and paved the way for subsequent HTV missions.  

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## Notable For  
- **Second mission** of the H-II Transfer Vehicle class, building on the success of HTV-1.  
- **Multiple docking positions**: First HTV to dock at both nadir and zenith ports of the ISS Harmony module.  
- **Controlled re-entry**: Safely disposed of ISS waste by burning up during atmospheric re-entry.  

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## Body  
### Launch and Mission  
- Launched on January 22, 2011, aboard an H-IIB rocket from Tanegashima Space Center.  
- Delivered approximately 5.3 metric tons of cargo to the ISS.  

### Docking and Operations  
- **First docking**: January 27, 2011, at the Harmony nadir port.  
- **Relocation**: Moved to the zenith port on February 19, 2011, to accommodate other spacecraft.  
- **Final undocking**: March 28, 2011, before re-entry.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Vessel class**: H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV).  
- **Operator**: JAXA.  
- **Re-entry mass**: Included ISS waste for disposal.  

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## Schema Markup  
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Kounotori 2",
  "description": "Japanese cargo resupply spacecraft for the International Space Station.",
  "url": "https://www.jaxa.jp/countdown/h2bf2/index_e.html",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kounotori_2"
  ],
  "additionalType": "H-II Transfer Vehicle"
}

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. [Source](https://www.jaxa.jp/countdown/h2bf2/index_e.html)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013