Fiery end for 1st cargo spacecraft

The nation's first unmanned space transport vehicle is expected to enter the atmosphere and burn up early today after completing its mission.

The HTV, which was launched Sept. 11 with the H-2B rocket, carried observation equipment and supplies to the International Space Station.

Astronauts aboard the ISS detached the spacecraft at 2:32 a.m. Saturday with a robotic arm.

It is expected to enter the atmosphere around 6:30 a.m. today.

While most of the vehicle will burn up, some sections made of titanium and other hard materials, such as the engine and fuel tanks, are expected to fall into the South Pacific Ocean.

Japan plans to launch one HTV a year through 2015.(IHT/Asahi: November 2,2009)