20 MAY 2020

The Japanese HTV-9 cargo vehicle launched to the International Space Station carries a part of Europe in its pressurised module.

Known as Kounotori-9 (meaning 'white stork' in Japanese), it is an unmanned cargo transfer spacecraft that delivers supplies to the International Space Station (ISS).

"Kounotori" provides support for ISS operations by delivering up to six tons of cargo, has the world's largest transportation capacity. As the name implies, the facility offers room to run experiments by supplying power, data communication, cooling, nitrogen and venting waste gasses.

It also has the unique function of carrying multiple numbers of large-size experimental instruments on one flight.

The second iteration of the European Drawer Rack (EDR-2) is destined for the European Columbus laboratory and will provide great opportunities for science in space.
It is part of a comprehensive upgrade of Columbus to offer faster, easier, more flexible access to researchers on Earth.

The rack was developed by an industrial team led by Thales Alenia Space Italy with which Sabelt has collaborated for the development and the production of the restraint system and the frame retardant foams.

The restraint system is made of ultra-light straps with adjusters and fixing plates in titanium and quick release buckles for fast and easy opening while foams are used to protect and contain the materials delivered into space.

We are proud to be part of this project and to put our know-how at disposal of the scientific research.