YAMAZAKI Naoko

Born in Matsudo, Chiba, Japan.

Received a bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Tokyo. In 1996, received a master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, also from the University of Tokyo.

Joined the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA, currently Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) and was involved in the development of Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) system integration. Also worked on failure analysis and development of JEM assembly and initial operations procedures in the JEM Project Team.

Involved in development of the ISS Centrifuge life science experiment facility and conducted conceptual framework and preliminary design in the Centrifuge Project Team.

Selected by NASDA as one of three Japanese astronaut candidates for the International Space Station (ISS), alongside Dr. Satoshi Furukawa and Akihiko Hoshide.

Commenced NASDA's Basic Training program.

Certified as an astronaut. In the same year, participated in ISS Advanced Training.
Also worked on development of the hardware and operation of Kibo, modules and the Centrifuge.

Certified as a Soyuz-TMA flight engineer. In June, dispatched to NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC), going through NASA's Astronaut Candidate training for roughly 20 months and commencing training as a Mission Specialist candidate with NASA.

Qualified as a Mission Specialist with NASA.

Selected as a crew support astronaut for Kibo Experiment Logistics Module-Pressurized Section (ELM-PS) launch and construction mission 1J/A (STS-123), to be flown by Takao Doi.

Selected as a crew member for the STS-131 (19A) mission.

Flew as a Mission Specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery as part of mission STS-131 (19A). Supported the mission's primary tasks by operating the Shuttle Remote Manipulator System (SRMS) and the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS). Orchestrated cargo transfer activities between the space shuttle and the ISS as a loadmaster of the mission.
Together with Soichi Noguchi, became one of the first two Japanese astronauts to be simultaneously in orbit on ISS Expeditions 22 and 23, conducting a variety of operations.

Resumed study in the field of aerospace engineering at the University of Tokyo.

Retired from JAXA.

Member, Space Policy Committee of Cabinet Office

Representative Director, Space Port Japan Association