HTV successful release

2009-10-30 - Canadarm2, operated by Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Robert Thirsk and colleagues NASA Astronaut Nicole Stott and European Space Agency Astronaut Frank De Winne, releases the unpiloted Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) from the International Space Station (ISS). Canadarm2 performed the first-ever capture of a free-flying vehicle when it grappled HTV on September 17, 2009. After having its pressurized and unpressurized cargo unloaded over several weeks, the HTV was unberthed from the Harmony node and released from the ISS. (Credit: NASA)