A robot inspired by the animated character Astro Boy is on its way to the International Space Station, where it will be a Japanese-speaking companion for an astronaut and assist in some missions.
Japan launched a cargo-carrying rocket loaded with supplies for the crew of the International Space Station at 4.48am local time (0548 AEST on Sunday).
Images broadcast by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) showed the H-2B rocket blasting off from the southern island of Tanegashima as planned.
The unmanned rocket carried a cargo transporter filled with drinking water, food, clothing and work supplies for the six permanent ISS crew.
The annual mission, which has previously been completed by countries including the United States and Russia, will also pick up waste from the space centre.
A small talking robot was accompanying Sunday's mission. The android is designed to act as a chatting companion for astronaut Koichi Wakata, who is set to arrive at the space station later this year.
Standing at just 34 centimetres tall and weighing about one kilogram, Kirobo is programmed to communicate in Japanese and keep records of its conversations with Wakata, who is the first Japanese astronaut to command the ISS.
"Kirobo will remember Mr Wakata's face so it can recognise him when they reunite up in space," its creator Tomotaka Takahashi told AFP in June.
"He will be the first robot to visit the space station."
The robot, which has a wide range of physical motion, will also play a role in some missions, relaying messages from the control room to the astronaut.
Sending the android to space is part of a study aimed at seeing how a non-human companion can provide emotional support for people isolated over long periods.
Back on earth, twin robot Mirata will be on the lookout for any problems encountered by its electronic counterpart, which was inspired by the legendary animation character Astro Boy.
