JAXA plans to launch the first HTV-X cargo spacecraft on H3-24W rocket, inaugurating Japan’s next-generation resupply system for the ISS. HTV-X will succeed the H-II Transfer Vehicle, which flew nine missions from 2009 to 2020. Over 400 Japanese companies will contribute to development and manufacturing, led by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for launch integration, IHI Aerospace for propulsion and structure, and NEC for avionics and communication systems, joined by Subaru (Fuji Heavy Industries) and Nippon Avionics on sensor and component work. The design will increase cargo capacity by 1,850 kg while reducing total mass to 15,500 kg, and new 24-hour late-load capability—down from 80 hours—will enable transport of fresh food and refrigerated biological samples. HTV-X1 will deliver cargo including Kibo module systems equipment, a CO₂ Removal System demo supporting Gateway ECLSS, and Asia Try Zero-G 2025 experiments from 11 Asian and Middle Eastern nations. NASA cargo will include Nitrogen/Oxygen and Water Resupply Tanks and experimental hardware. Exposed payloads will feature the Deployable Lightweight Planar Antenna and Next-Generation Space Solar Cell. Post-ISS, HTV-X1 will test autonomous orbit and rendezvous technologies for future lunar Gateway logistics. Also this week, the XRISM International Conference convenes October 20–24 in Kyoto, organized by JAXA and NASA with 70 institutions from Japan, USA, Canada and Europe, reviewing XRISM’s first two years of X-ray spectroscopy and imaging results. (Image Credits: JAXA)