Japan has stopped work on its Hope X unmanned space shuttle cargo vehicle due to launch vehicle issues. Hope X was to be used for logistics missions to and from the International Space Station (ISS) from 2004.
The project has been frozen because of questions about which vehicle should launch Hope X, says Japan's Aeronautics and Space Development Division of the Science and Technology Agency.
The H2 was originally due to launch Hope X, but that vehicle was replaced by a new uprated H2A booster, the development of which has been affected by two H2 failures and engine testing difficulties.
Hope X was scheduled for launch last year, to be followed by a manned Hope shuttle vehicle.
Meanwhile, Japan has warned that completion of the Japanese Experiment Module will slip from 2004 to 2006.o
Source: Flight International
