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

Canonical page: https://technooptimist.io/stories/htv-x1-leaves-the-iss-after-four-months-and-begins-three-months-of-free-cb2798a7
Date: 6 Mar 2026
About: [JAXA](https://technooptimist.io/companies/jaxa.md) · [HTV-X](https://technooptimist.io/spaceflight/htv-x.md)
Original source: https://global.jaxa.jp/press/2026/02/20260219-1_e.html

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.

## Key facts

- 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.

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