# Kounotori 3

> cargo resupply spacecraft for the International Space Station

**Wikidata**: [Q3273069](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3273069)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kounotori_3)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kounotori-3

## Summary
Kounotori 3, also known as HTV-3, was a Japanese automated cargo resupply spacecraft designed for the International Space Station (ISS). Operated by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), it was an instance of the H-II Transfer Vehicle class. Launched on July 21, 2012, it delivered essential cargo to the ISS before its atmospheric re-entry on September 14, 2012.

## Key Facts
- Kounotori 3 is an instance of the H-II Transfer Vehicle class of automated cargo spacecraft.
- It was launched on July 21, 2012, at 02:06:18 from Yoshinobu Launch Complex Launch Pad 2.
- The spacecraft was manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and operated by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
- Kounotori 3 had a takeoff mass of 15,400 kg, including a payload mass of 4,600 kg.
- It carried 3,500 kg of pressurized cargo and 1,100 kg of unpressurized cargo.
- It docked with the Harmony module of the International Space Station on July 27, 2012, and remained there until September 11, 2012.
- Kounotori 3's mission duration was 4,752,000 seconds.
- It was preceded by Kounotori 2 and succeeded by Kounotori 4.
- Its atmospheric entry occurred on September 14, 2012, at 05:27.

## FAQs
### Q: What was Kounotori 3's primary purpose?
A: Kounotori 3 was a cargo resupply spacecraft designed to deliver supplies and equipment to the International Space Station (ISS). It was part of the H-II Transfer Vehicle program, ensuring the station remained stocked.

### Q: When was Kounotori 3 launched and by whom?
A: Kounotori 3 was launched on July 21, 2012, at 02:06:18. It was operated by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and launched using an H-IIB launch vehicle.

### Q: What was the total mass of Kounotori 3 at launch?
A: The total takeoff mass of Kounotori 3 was 15,400 kilograms. This included a payload mass of 4,600 kilograms, which consisted of 3,500 kg of pressurized cargo and 1,100 kg of unpressurized cargo.

### Q: How long was Kounotori 3 docked to the International Space Station?
A: Kounotori 3 docked with the Harmony module of the International Space Station on July 27, 2012, and remained berthed until September 11, 2012. This berthing period was part of its overall mission duration of approximately 55 days.

## Why It Matters
Kounotori 3 played a crucial role in the ongoing operation and maintenance of the International Space Station (ISS) by serving as a vital resupply vehicle. As an H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV), it demonstrated Japan's capability to independently transport significant amounts of cargo, both pressurized and unpressurized, to the orbiting laboratory. This capacity was essential for delivering scientific experiments, spare parts, food, water, and other necessities, thereby enabling continuous research and human presence in space. The success of missions like Kounotori 3 underscored international collaboration in space exploration and provided redundancy in the global logistics chain for the ISS, ensuring that the station remained well-stocked and operational. Its mission contributed to the sustained functionality of the ISS, supporting numerous scientific breakthroughs and technological advancements made possible by the unique microgravity environment.

## Notable For
- **Significant Cargo Capacity:** Carried a substantial 4,600 kg of payload, including 3,500 kg of pressurized and 1,100 kg of unpressurized cargo, vital for ISS operations.
- **Automated Resupply:** Operated as an automated cargo spacecraft, demonstrating advanced robotic rendezvous and berthing capabilities with the International Space Station.
- **Japanese Contribution to ISS Logistics:** Represented Japan's continued commitment and capability in providing essential resupply services to the International Space Station, following Kounotori 2.

## Body

### Overview
Kounotori 3, also known by its aliases HTV-3 or HTV3, was a Japanese automated cargo resupply spacecraft. It was an instance of the H-II Transfer Vehicle class, designed to transport supplies to the International Space Station (ISS). The spacecraft was operated by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which also served as the launch contractor.

### Mission Details
Kounotori 3 was launched on July 21, 2012, at 02:06:18 from Yoshinobu Launch Complex Launch Pad 2. The launch vehicle used was an H-IIB, specifically the H-IIB-F3 variant. Its COSPAR ID is 2012-038A.

The spacecraft had a total takeoff mass of 15,400 kilograms. Its payload mass was 4,600 kilograms, which included 3,500 kilograms of pressurized cargo and 1,100 kilograms of unpressurized cargo.

A significant event in its mission was its docking and berthing with the International Space Station. Kounotori 3 docked with the Harmony module (nadir port) of the ISS on July 27, 2012, and remained berthed until September 11, 2012. The duration of its berthing was 3,974,400 seconds. The total mission duration of Kounotori 3 was 4,752,000 seconds.

### End of Mission
Following its departure from the ISS, Kounotori 3 underwent atmospheric entry on September 14, 2012, at 05:27.

### Predecessor and Successor
Kounotori 3 followed the Kounotori 2 mission and was succeeded by Kounotori 4 in the series of H-II Transfer Vehicle flights.

### Technical Specifications
- **SCN:** 38706
- **Mass:**
    - Takeoff: 15,400 kg
    - Payload: 4,600 kg
    - Pressurized Cargo: 3,500 kg
    - Unpressurized Cargo: 1,100 kg
- **Operator:** Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
- **Manufacturer:** Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
- **Launch Vehicle:** H-IIB (H-IIB-F3)
- **Launch Site:** Yoshinobu Launch Complex Launch Pad 2
- **Docking Port:** Harmony (International Space Station)
- **Mission Duration:** 4,752,000 seconds
- **Orbit Decay:** September 14, 2012, 05:27

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Kounotori 3",
  "alternateName": ["HTV-3", "HTV3"],
  "description": "Japanese automated cargo resupply spacecraft for the International Space Station.",
  "url": "https://www.jaxa.jp/countdown/h2bf3/index_e.html",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kounotori_3"
  ],
  "additionalType": "https://schema.org/Spacecraft",
  "manufacturer": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "Mitsubishi Heavy Industries"
  },
  "operator": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency"
  },
  "launchDate": "2012-07-21T02:06:18Z",
  "launchLocation": {
    "@type": "Place",
    "name": "Yoshinobu Launch Complex Launch Pad 2"
  },
  "mass": {
    "@type": "QuantitativeValue",
    "value": 15400,
    "unitCode": "KGM",
    "description": "Takeoff mass"
  },
  "image": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/ISS-32_HTV-3_approaches_the_International_Space_Station.jpg"
}

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. [Source](https://www.jaxa.jp/countdown/h2bf3/index_e.html)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013