View full post on IframeUpdate: It appears to be a successful launch, with booster rockets firing successfully, and smooth firing and separation of both first and second stage rockets. The Kounotori 5 is now about in orbit about 170 miles above the Earth, and will begin its journey to the ISS, which will take approximately 5 days.After a series of failures to get supplies to the ISS, an unmanned Japanese H-2 Transfer Vehicle is set for launch at 11: 50 GMT (7:50 a.m. ET) today from the Tanegashima Space Center.Also known as Kounotori 5, the Japanese word for white stork, the ship willy carry 4.5 tons of food, supplies, a new telescope, and even a new kitchen galley for the crew aboard the ISS.If all goes according to plan, the Kounotori 5 will dock with the ISS on August 24.Source: SpaceFlightNowJake SwearingenDeputy EditorJake Swearingen is deputy editor at PopularMechanics.com. Previously he worked at The Altantic and was digital director at Modern Farmer. He lives in Queens and really wants to talk to you about what’s going wrong in his dwarf fortress.
