Cargo vehicle set for fiery demise

Japan's first unmanned cargo vehicle was detached from the International Space Station early Saturday and is expected to burn up over the Pacific Ocean upon re-entry Monday, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said.

Mission accomplished: A grab from NASA TV shows a robot arm separating Japan's unmanned cargo vehicle from the International Space Station early Saturday. KYODO PHOTO

The H-II Transfer Vehicle, or HTV, dropped off food, supplies and stratospheric observation equipment needed by Japan's Kibo lab module.

It will re-enter the Earth's atmosphere above New Zealand early Monday, JAXA said.

The HTV, which is 10 meters long and 4.4 meters in diameter, was launched Sept. 11 from Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture. It docked with the ISS on Sept. 18.

After its cargo was transferred to the space station, the vehicle was loaded with 1.6 tons of used equipment and waste before being disconnected from the ISS, the agency said.