* Astronomy

Solid rocket booster Separation

All systems nominal

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Japan's space truck ready to fly
Japan is ready to launch its new space freighter from the Tanegashima base in the south of the country.
The 16.5-tonne unmanned H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) will haul cargo to the International Space station (ISS).
Its success is vitally important to the station project, which is set to lose the servicing capability of the US shuttle fleet next year.

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