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ISS Astronauts Activity Report, August 2001
This is NASDA's August training primary activity report for ISS astronauts Furukawa and Hoshide and astronaut candidate (ASCAN) Sumino.

Summer School at Tsukuba Space Center
A space development public relations activity titled "Summer School at Tsukuba Space Center" was held from August 1 to 3 at Tsukuba Space Center for people 18 years old or older.
  • Talking with astronaut Hoshide
    On the first day of the event, astronaut Hoshide used video to present the basic training he has gone through, then answered questions from the audience. In his presentation he spoke about his own experiences such as astronaut selection and training. He also spoke about how astronaut Furukawa and ASCAN Sumino were trained, which attracted the attention of the audience.
    Astronaut Hoshide Speaking Enthusiastically


Cosmic College Opening Ceremony
A space development public relations activity for the youth generation titled a "Cosmic College" was held at Tsukuba Expo Center of Tsukuba City and Tsukuba Space Center, from August 6 to 11.
Astronaut Hoshide took part in the opening ceremony and gave a speech. He then joined the audience and answered many questions with a smile.

Inside the Event Hall Astronaut Hoshide Answering Questions
The Five Major Questions

Q1: Why did you choose to become an astronaut?
Hoshide:
Since my childhood, I often watched animation movies and thought, "Someday I will go to space and work there." At that time there were no Japanese astronauts. Years later, astronaut recruiting started in Japan, and I applied three times, which meant I failed twice. However, I never gave up.

Q2: What do you do in astronaut training?
Hoshide:
Various experiments will be conducted on the International Space Station (ISS), so we learn about various science fields and procedures of conducting experiments. We also learn how to repair equipment and treat cases like water leaks or electric device malfunctions. Also, people from many countries will work in the ISS, so in order to communicate with those people we learn English and Russian.
We primarily read books and materials at our desks, which is the same as you do.


Q3:What is the purpose of the "Office of Space Utilization Systems" which you belong to?
Hoshide:
Isn't that a question your mom or dad might like to ask (laughter)? The Office of Space Utilization Systems consists of various types of people including astronauts, people who manage astronauts' health, public relations people, and people who coordinate the ISS program among participating countries.

Q4:What kind of examinations did you receive?
Hoshide:
We were tested in many ways. In the application document, we submitted our own compositions like you might do in the future. We also received physical examinations, English examinations, and oral examinations.

Q5:What kind of work would you like to do in the space development field?
Hoshide:
First, I will be sent to the ISS and work there. I imagine the work to be done there will be various experiments including medical experiments, plant experiments, biological experiments, and material experiments, or robot arm operation and extravehicular activities. However, this will be five or six years from now. The actual tasks will be determined after the crew member is selected. I hope to develop technologies that will enable everyone to go to space at the earliest possible date.
LP-TIM #12

Astronaut Hoshide and NASDA JEM Project Team Members attending the LP-TIM # 12
Inside the Meeting Room
A meeting between NASDA and NASA called the Launch Package Technical Interchange Meeting (LP-TIM) was held at Tsukuba Space Center from August 27 to 31. The LP-TIM is a meeting for Japan and the US to discuss Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo's" technical issues, and is held about twice a year. The LP-TIM meeting alternates annually between Japan and the US, and this is the 12th meeting.
NASDA's ISS astronauts Furukawa and Hoshide and ASCAN Sumino participated in the LP-TIM together with the Kibo project team engineers.





In September, ASCAN Sumino is slated to attend survival training in Russia. After this training, she is scheduled to be officially certified as an astronaut.
The Japanese ISS astronauts' September activity report will be issued in the middle of October.


Last Updated: October 4, 2001

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