ISS Astronaut Activity Report, January 2004

This is JAXA's January 2004 primary activity report on Japanese ISS astronauts. This month the three astronauts received Russian and English language training and physical training. They also received training to maintain and improve skills related to the Japanese Experimental Module "Kibo" and conducted other technical operations. The astronauts also gave lectures and granted interviews with the media.

Paper SIM on the Japanese Experiment Module Kibo

A simulation to confirm the operation procedures for Kibo, the Japanese Experiment Module, was conducted in the Mission Control Room of the Space Station Operations Facility at Tsukuba Space Center. Simulations are generally done by assuming a real condition of the operation. However, for this one, we did not use the actual operations system. We call this a Paper Simulation (Paper SIM) because we used papers instead of using a computer display.

Astronaut Hoshide participated in the Paper SIM as a SSIPC CAPCOM. The SSIPC CAPCOM transmits information quickly and precisely between the ground centers and the astronauts on board who are responsible for assembly and activation of Kibo.

Lecture at Kaze-no-Tani Kindergarten in Kawasaki

Astronaut Furukawa lectures to the kindergartners

Astronaut Furukawa gave a speech titled "Dreams for Children" at Kaze-no-Tani Kindergarten in Kawasaki City, for about 180 participants including children and their parents. Astronaut Furukawa talked about such topics as how to become an astronaut, astronaut training, and life in space and the ISS . After the speech, the children were given the opportunity to ask questions. One such question was "why do objects float in space?"

Amelia Earhart Day

Astronaut Sumino gave a lecture titled "Dream of Space" as part of a memorial event for "Amelia Earhart Day." The event was organized by Zonta Club of Tokyo I, International Zonta and held in a hotel in Tokyo. Amelia Earhart was the first woman to make a transpacific flight. Earhart completed her journey between Hawaii and California on January 11, 1935, which became her commemoration day.

In order to reflect the philosophy of the organizer and the participants who aim for the advancement of the status of women, astronaut Sumino spoke not only about the ISS and astronaut training, but also about Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman to fly in space, and Eileen Collins, a Commander of STS-114 in which Astronaut Noguchi will fly. There was a Question and Answer session at the conclusion of the lecture.

Astronaut Furukawa, Hoshide, and Sumino are receiving a second training session on the Soyuz spacecraft at the Gagarin Cosmonauts Training Center in Russia since the end of January (the first training session was July to September 2003).