Japanese engineers have developed a hypersonic space-based missile tracking technology called the HTV-X, built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

The new technology consists of a next-generation cargo ship that delivers supplies to the International Space Station (ISS), similar to what SpaceX’s Dragon or Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus does for NASA. The HTV-X just made its first flight, delivering about 4.4 tonnes of food, equipment, and experiment. Unlike older Japanese cargo ships that burned up right after their missions, it will stay in orbit for up to 18 months after undocking. JAXA designed it to act as a “flying laboratory” where Japan can experiment with new space technologies before missions.