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Japan launched a cargo-carrying rocket yesterday loaded with supplies for the crew of the International Space Station (ISS), along with a small robot meant as a companion for one of the country's astronauts.
The H-2B rocket blasted off from the southern island of Tanegashima in the early morning, images broadcast by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency showed.
According to the agency the launch had gone to plan.
"The HTV4 module has separated from the rocket as scheduled and continues its journey to the ISS," an agency official said during the broadcast streamed over the internet.
The official said the module was due to dock at the station on Friday.
The unmanned rocket carried a cargo transporter filled with drinking water, food, clothing and work supplies for the six permanent ISS crew.
The annual mission, which previously has been completed by countries including the United States and Russia, will also pick up waste from the space centre.
A small talking robot was accompanying yesterday's mission. The android is designed to act as a chatting companion for astronaut Koichi Wakata, who is set to arrive at the space station later this year.
Standing at just 34cm tall and weighing about 1kg, Kirobo is programmed to communicate in Japanese and keep records of its conversations with Wakata, who is the first Japanese astronaut to command the ISS.
"Kirobo will remember Mr Wakata's face so it can recognise him when they reunite up in space," its creator Tomotaka Takahashi said in June.
"He will be the first robot to visit the space station."
The robot, which has a wide range of physical motion, will also play a role in some missions, relaying messages from the control room to the astronaut.
Sending the android to space is part of a study aimed at checking how a non-human companion can provide emotional support for people isolated over long periods.
Back on earth, twin robot Mirata will be on the lookout for any problems encountered by its electronic counterpart, which was inspired by the long-time favourite animation character Astro Boy.
In January, Japan launched two satellites from Tanegashima to strengthen its surveillance capabilities, including keeping a close eye on North Korea after it vowed to launch another nuclear test.
One of them was a radar-equipped unit to complete a system of surveillance satellites that would allow Tokyo to monitor any place in the world at least once a day.
The other was a demonstration satellite to collect data for research and development.


Japan sends first android to International Space Station

Kirobo the robot before heading into space. A cargo-carrying rocket blasts off for its mission. Photos: Reuters, AP

A cargo-carrying rocket blasts off for its mission.Photo: AP

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Japan launched a cargo-carrying rocket yesterday loaded with supplies for the crew of the International Space Station (ISS), along with a small robot meant as a companion for one of the country's astronauts.
