Concept and Technology of HTV-R: an Advanced Type of H-II Transfer Vehicle

Abstract

The first and second H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) successfully completed their missions in Nov. 2009 and March 2011. JAXA got the capability to upload lots of logistics to support human activities on the International Space Station (ISS). Mid of these HTV missions, JAXA established ISS Cargo Return Vehicle Research and Development Office as a new section to study a new space vehicle concept. It is called and an improved type of HTV to enable JAXA to recover various samples of experiments conducted on the ISS. HTV-R equips a new module which is called HRV(HTV Return Vehicle) for the enhanced purpose. Most part of HTV-R mission is not changed from original HTV's, but once the HRV separates from the HTV-R after the de-orbit maneuver completion, the HRV will fly by itself and conduct lifting reentry to the atmosphere with controlling attitude and trajectory to the predefined splashdown point. Because HRV flight profile is similar to human returning flight, JAXA is considering that HTV-R is not only as a cargo recovery system but also as the pathfinder of a human transport system.