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ISS Astronaut Activity Report, November 2001

This is NASDA's November primary activity report for ISS astronauts Furukawa, Hoshide, and Sumino. The three were busy both in Japan and the US attending advanced training that started in October in Houston, and participating in various activities in Japan.

Advanced Training

Advanced training is conducted using international partners' facilities to deepen the astronauts'understanding of the systems and operations of the International Space Station (ISS). The advanced training conducted at NASA Johnson Space Center, Texas, in October through November was the second following the session last spring. Astronauts Doi, Wakata, and Noguchi also participated in this training. They received training on major ISS systems and also on medical aids, on-orbit repairs, US payloads, and photography using cameras that will actually be used on orbit. They also received training on the Space Shuttle, which will be used as a transport to the ISS.
Some of the November training scenes are shown here.
  • Training on ISS tools
    Training on how to use fire extinguishers, handrails, and hatches was conducted using an ISS mockup located in Johnson Space Center
    Training on Fire Extinguisher Operations
    Training on Hatch Operations


  • Training on Emergency Egress from Space Shuttle
    Astronauts received training on emergency egress from the Space Shuttle wearing their launch and entry suit.
    Training was conducted assuming emergency egress cases, such as escaping from an ascending Space Shuttle, escaping from a Shuttle ceiling window using a rope in case the hatch cannot be opened after landing, or escaping through the hatch using a rope or a slide.

    From left, astronauts Hoshide, Sumino, and Thomas Reiter (ESA) Full Fuselage Trainer Emergency egress from an ascending Shuttle. Emergency egress through the sealing window using rope after Shuttle landing.
    Emergency egress through the hatch using rope after Shuttle landing Emergency egress through the hatch using slide after Shuttle landing.


  • System malfunction training
    Training scene with astronaut Pedro Duque (ESA) to the right. He flew STS-95 with astronaut Mukai.
    System malfunction training was conducted as well, simulating actual operations based on a scenario, working together with the mission control center.


Kibo's Extravehicular Activity procedure development test No.3(OPS#3)
Kibo's Extravehicular Activity procedure development test No. 3 (OPS#3) was conducted in the Weightless Environment Test Facility at Tsukuba Space Center from November 5 to 26, 2001. NASDA astronauts Wakata, Furukawa, Hoshide, and Sumino participated in this test along with NASA astronaut Tanner.
When the test was opened to the press on November12, Wakata participated in the test and Sumino gave a description to the press.
For more details click here.

Astronaut Furukawa
Astronaut Hoshide
Astronaut Sumino giving a description to the press while astronaut Wakata participates in the test. Astronaut Sumino


Astronaut Sumino awarded the Honored Citizen Prize of Matsudo City, Chiba prefecture.
At the Ceremony (Photo by Matsudo City)

Astronaut Sumino, born in Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture, was awarded the Honored Citizen Prize of Matsudo City on November 22, at the City Hall of Matsudo. This prize was established in order to award persons and groups associated with Matsudo City who accomplish remarkable achievements in the field of sports, culture, and social activities. Sumino was awarded following Mr. Masao Sugiura who was awarded as the first person for his being a waterman at the ferry of Yagiri, in 1999. Along with Sumino, Mr. Nobuo Murakami, the cooking advisor of the Imperial Hotel, and Mr. Yutaka Wada the batting coach of the professional baseball team "Hanshin Tigers," also received the award.

Astronaut Hoshide participated in the "Kibo" Utilization Symposium in Kansai.
The second "Kibo" Utilization Symposium was held on November 28, 2001, in Osaka prefecture, following the first symposium held in Tokyo in March this year. This symposium was planned to provide information on the ISS and Kibo to the public, especially to those who were unfamiliar with the program itself, to promote utilization of the ISS and Kibo as an "on-orbit laboratory."The symposium was also broadcasted live to NASDA headquarters in Tokyo and Tsukuba Space Center in Ibaraki prefecture. Astronaut Hoshide briefed the audience on the assembly status of the ISS and Kibo.

The Japanese ISS astronauts' December activity report will be issued in January 2002.


Last Updated: January 8, 2002

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