Kounotori2 H-II Transfer Vehicle

ISS026-E-020910 (27 Jan. 2011) --- Backdropped by a cloud-covered part of Earth, the unpiloted Japanese Kounotori2 H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV2) approaches the International Space Station. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched HTV2 aboard an H-IIB rocket from the Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan at 12:37 a.m. (EST) (2:27 p.m. Japan time) on Jan. 22, 2011. HTV2 is the second unpiloted cargo ship launched by JAXA to the station and will deliver more than four tons of food and supplies to the space station and its crew members.