Video: Space station crew says goodbye to Japan cargo ship

International Space Station (ISS) astronaut Karen Nyberg of NASA used the Canadarm2 robotic arm to release the Japanese HTV-4 cargo ship on Wednesday, after its month stay at the orbital outpost.

The cargo craft, dubbed "Kounotori" --- the Japanese word for "white stork" --- by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, arrived at the ISS Aug. 9 filled with more than three tons of supplies and spare parts for the crew. It will be commanded to deorbit on Saturday, headed for a destructive entry into the Pacific Ocean.

Receive DCNewsroom email alerts, subscribe here.

Video: Japan launches fourth cargo ship to International Space Station

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's HTV-4 Transfer Vehicle was successfully launched from the Tanegashima Space Center on Saturday for a rendezvous with the International Space Station (ISS).



Once there, the HTV-4 will deliver 3.6 tons of dry cargo, water, experiments and spare parts to the ISS. Unlike a Russian Progress vehicle which docks automatically, the HTV-4 will be captured by the Canadarm2 and berthed to the ISS. The cargo ship is scheduled to reach the space station on Friday.

Receive DCNewsroom email alerts, subscribe here.