Japan sends Kirobo robot to the International Space Station.

On August 4th, Japan successfully launched an H2-B rocket carrying an unmanned cargo ship delivering supplies to the crew on the International Space Station (ISS).

Images provided by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) show that the H-2B rocket lifted off from Tanegashima Island in southern Japan at 4:48 a.m. (local time).

A talking robot named Kirobo was also sent to the ISS by H-2B to be a companion for Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata, who will arrive at the space station at the end of 2013.

Kirobo, a talking robot. (Source: Kirobo Robot Project)

This robot is 34cm tall and weighs about 1kg. It is programmed to communicate in Japanese and record conversations with Mr. Wakata, the first Japanese astronaut to command the ISS.

According to robot inventor Kirobo Tomotaka Takahashi, the robot memorized Mr. Wakata's face so that it could recognize him when they met on the ISS.

Kirobo can also perform a wide range of body movements and will participate in several tasks, such as carrying messages from the control room to the astronauts.

Kirobo is the first robot to go to the ISS and is part of a study aimed at understanding emotional support for people living in isolation for extended periods.

A JAXA spokesperson said the rocket launch went according to plan, with the Konotori No. 4 cargo spacecraft separating from the booster rocket and entering orbit as scheduled 15 minutes after liftoff.

The cargo spacecraft is expected to dock with the ISS on August 9th, carrying drinking water, food, clothing, and equipment for the six astronauts who will be permanently stationed on the space station.

This is an annual mission, previously carried out by countries including the US and Russia. The spacecraft will also collect debris from the ISS.

According to (VNA) - VT