NASA photo of Kounotori. Kounotori was launched on a rocket, released into space, maneuvered to the ISS, then grabbed by the ISS’ robotic arm for docking.

After the cargo was unloaded, Kounotori was filled with ISS waste materials and dropped to Earth to burn up during re-entry.
“Kounotori” is the Japanese word for stork which can mean “bird of happiness.” Because of this auspicious meaning, “Kounotori” became the nickname of the It certainly was a “bird” delivering happiness and important things. The kounotori stork is endangered in Japan.