HTV stands for H-II Transfer Vehicle, a Japanese cargo spacecraft designed to transport supplies to the International Space Station (ISS). Its size depends on which version you're referring to.
HTV-1 through HTV-7:
- Length: 10.8 meters (35.4 feet)
- Diameter: 4.4 meters (14.4 feet)
- Mass: 16.5 tons (36,400 pounds)
HTV-8 and onwards:
- Length: 10.9 meters (35.7 feet)
- Diameter: 4.4 meters (14.4 feet)
- Mass: 19.5 tons (43,000 pounds)
The newer versions are slightly larger and heavier due to enhancements in their capabilities.
For reference, a typical school bus is about 10 meters long and 3 meters wide.
In short, HTV is a medium-sized spacecraft, about the size of a school bus, that plays a vital role in resupplying the International Space Station.
