# Kounotori 7

> cargo resupply spacecraft for the International Space Station

**Wikidata**: [Q27048771](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q27048771)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kounotori_7)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kounotori-7

## Summary
Kounotori 7 (HTV-7) is a Japanese automated cargo resupply spacecraft launched to the International Space Station (ISS) on September 22, 2018. Operated by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), it delivered supplies and equipment as part of Japan's H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) program.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: September 22, 2018, at 17:52:27 UTC from Yoshinobu Launch Complex Launch Pad 2.
- **Operator**: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
- **Launch Vehicle**: H-IIB rocket (H-IIB-F7 variant).
- **Docking**: Successfully docked with the ISS Harmony module (nadir port) on September 27, 2018.
- **Class**: Part of the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) series, a retired line of Japanese automated cargo spacecraft.
- **Predecessor/Successor**: Followed Kounotori 6 and preceded Kounotori 8.
- **COSPAR ID**: 2018-073A.
- **Aliases**: Also known as HTV-7 or HTV7.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Kounotori 7?
A: Kounotori 7 was a cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station, delivering supplies, equipment, and experiments to support the crew and scientific research.

### Q: When was Kounotori 7 launched?
A: It was launched on September 22, 2018, at 17:52:27 UTC from Japan’s Yoshinobu Launch Complex.

### Q: What rocket launched Kounotori 7?
A: The H-IIB rocket (H-IIB-F7) was used to launch Kounotori 7.

### Q: How long did it take to reach the ISS?
A: Kounotori 7 docked with the ISS on September 27, 2018, five days after launch.

### Q: Is Kounotori 7 still in service?
A: No, the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) series, including Kounotori 7, has been retired.

## Why It Matters
Kounotori 7 played a critical role in sustaining the International Space Station by delivering essential supplies, scientific experiments, and hardware. As part of Japan’s HTV program, it demonstrated the country’s capabilities in automated space logistics and international cooperation in space exploration. The mission contributed to the ISS’s ongoing research and operational needs, supporting advancements in microgravity science, technology development, and human spaceflight. Its successful docking and resupply operations highlighted the reliability of Japan’s space infrastructure and its commitment to global space partnerships.

## Notable For
- **First HTV mission after the retirement announcement**: Kounotori 7 was one of the final missions in the HTV series before its retirement.
- **Precision docking**: Successfully docked with the ISS Harmony module’s nadir port, showcasing Japan’s automated rendezvous technology.
- **International collaboration**: Part of Japan’s contributions to the ISS, reinforcing global cooperation in space exploration.
- **Heavy-lift capability**: Launched aboard the H-IIB rocket, capable of carrying significant cargo masses to the ISS.

## Body
### Overview
Kounotori 7 (HTV-7) is the seventh spacecraft in Japan’s H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) series, designed to resupply the International Space Station (ISS). Operated by JAXA, it was launched on September 22, 2018, from the Yoshinobu Launch Complex in Tanegashima, Japan.

### Launch and Mission Details
- **Launch Vehicle**: H-IIB rocket (H-IIB-F7), an expendable launch system specifically developed for HTV missions.
- **Launch Time**: 17:52:27 UTC on September 22, 2018.
- **Docking**: The spacecraft docked with the ISS Harmony module’s nadir port on September 27, 2018.
- **COSPAR ID**: 2018-073A, a unique identifier assigned to the mission.

### Technical Specifications
- **Class**: H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV), a retired series of automated cargo spacecraft.
- **Operator**: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
- **Aliases**: HTV-7, HTV7.

### Mission Context
Kounotori 7 followed Kounotori 6 and preceded Kounotori 8 in the HTV series. The mission was part of Japan’s commitment to supporting the ISS, providing critical resupply capabilities alongside other international partners like NASA, Roscosmos, and ESA.

### Significance
The mission underscored Japan’s role in space logistics and its contributions to the ISS program. The HTV series, including Kounotori 7, was known for its reliability and ability to deliver both pressurized and unpressurized cargo to the station.

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## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. [Source](http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2018/09/20180923_h2bf7_j.html)