Launch success of the H-IIB Launch Vehicle No. 6 (H-IIB F6)
with the H-II Transfer Vehicle "KOUNOTORI6" on board
December 10, 2016 (JST)
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
National Research and Development Agency
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) successfully launched the H-IIB Launch Vehicle No. 6 (H-IIB F6) with cargo transporter to the International Space Station, the H-II Transfer Vehicle “KOUNOTORI6” (HTV6) on board at 10:26:47 p.m. on December 9, 2016 (JST) from the Tanegashima Space Center. The launch vehicle flew as planned, and at approximately 15 minutes and 11 seconds after liftoff, the separation of HTV6 was confirmed.
At the time of the launch, the weather was fine, the wind speed was 4.3 meters/second, from the north-west, and the temperature was 15.5 degrees Celsius.
H-IIB Launch Vehicle No.6 Flight Sequence (Quick Estimation)
| Event | Actual value (Quick review)*1 |
|---|---|
| 1. Liftoff | 0 min. 0 sec. |
| 2. SRB-A burnout *2 | 1 min. 50 sec. |
| 3. SRB-A 1st pair jettison *3 | 2 min. 6 sec. |
| 4. SRB-A 2nd pair jettison *3 | 2 min. 9 sec. |
| 5. Payload fairing jettison | 3 min. 42 sec. |
| 6. First stage main engine cutoff (MECO) | 5 min. 48 sec. |
| 7. 1st and 2nd stages separation | 5 min. 56 sec. |
| 8. Second stage engine lock-in (SELI) | 6 min. 7 sec. |
| 9. Second stage engine cutoff (SECO) | 14 min. 20 sec. |
| 10. HTV6 separation | 15 min. 11 sec. |
*1 Quick estimation value prior to the detailed estimation
*2 When the combustion chamber pressure becomes 10% against the largest combustion pressure.
*3 The definition of SRB-A jettison is the separation of the rear brace.