HTV-X1 leaves the ISS after four months and begins three months of free-flying tests

JAXA/HTV-X

The station's Canadarm2 arm released Japan's first HTV-X cargo ship on March 6 (March 7 in Japan), ending its supply mission after about four months. JAXA then used the ship for about three months as an orbiting test platform for four experiments: a small-satellite deployer, a laser reflector unit, a light deployable antenna and new space solar cells.

• Release at 12 pm EST on March 6, 2026, on schedule.
• Tests: H-SSOD deployer, Mt. FUJI reflectors, DELIGHT antenna and SDX solar cells.
• HTV-X is designed to fly up to 18 months after leaving the station.