TOKYO (Sputnik) — The Japanese space vehicle Kounotori, carrying supplies for the International Space Station (ISS), was successfully launched on Wednesday from the Tanegashima Space Center, according to Japan’s Space Agency (JAXA).
The launch was originally scheduled for Sunday, August 16, but bad weather conditions at the launch site postponed the mission.
There are more than 4.5 tons of food, water, spare parts, and other equipment for the ISS crew members on board the Kounotori cargo vessel, according to JAXA's official website.
This is the second supply mission to the ISS since the US company SpaceX's failed attempt in June, when a Falcon 9 rocket carrying supplies exploded right after lift-off.
In July, the Russian spacecraft Progress successfully delivered much-needed food and supplies to the ISS.
