JAXA Astronaut Activity Report

International Space Station (ISS) Expedition 18 Operations Training

Astronauts Wakata (left) and Noguchi (right) simulating ISS operation activities in the Unity (Node 1) module mockup

Astronauts Wakata and Noguchi, along with NASA astronaut Timothy Creamer, an Expedition 18 back-up crew member, participated in a training session that simulated International Space Station (ISS) operation activities at NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC).

This training session simulated the actual ISS operations by using the ISS full-scale mockup, with the instructors acting as the ISS flight controllers at the Mission Control Center. Over a four-hour period, the astronauts simulated the activities that the ISS Expedition 18 crew may undertake while on orbit.

Astronaut Wakata simulating operation activities in the Unity (Node 1) module mockup

During the training session, the astronauts, while communicating with the simulated Mission Control Center, followed their timelines and completed their respective assigned tasks. Astronaut Wakata simulated using the amateur ham radio and checked and verified the Environment Control and Life Support (ECLS) equipment. Astronaut Noguchi simulated checking and verifying the ISS equipment spare parts inventory and inspected the Portable Fire Extinguishers (PFEs).

Space Shuttle Emergency Escape Training

Astronauts Hoshide (foreground) and Michael Fossum (background) seated in the Middeck in the Crew Compartment Trainer (CCT-2).

Astronaut Hoshide and his fellow 1J (STS-124) mission crew members participated in space shuttle emergency egress training at JSC.

A full-scale space shuttle mockup was used for the training. Astronaut Hoshide and his fellow astronauts donned their orange flight suits (shuttle launch and entry suits), and reviewed the emergency egress procedures used to escape from the space shuttle during an emergency abort, while the shuttle is in a controlled glide flight or upon landing.

Astronaut Hoshide simulating emergency egress techniques by descending down a rope from the simulated aft Flight Deck window.

For evacuation training after the shuttle has landed, the astronauts simulated emergency egress through the side hatch by using the Emergency Egress Slide (EES). The astronauts also simulated escaping through the Aft Flight Deck overhead window by repelling down a rope, in the event that the shuttle’s hatch cannot be opened.

The crew also reviewed the In-flight Crew Escape System procedures. The air pressure inside and outside of the crew compartment needs to be equalized before the hatch is opened. Once the hatch is opened, the astronauts escape from the shuttle by sliding down an escape pole. During the training, the astronauts simulated equalizing the air pressure, opening the hatch, and deploying the escape pole, which provides the trajectory that enables the astronauts to avoid the shuttle’s left wing while bailing out of the shuttle.

Extravehicular Activity Tools Training

Astronaut Wakata fastening bolts using PGT

At JSC, astronauts Wakata and Noguchi participated in Extravehicular Activity (EVA) tool training and practiced operating the EVA tools.

To simulate using the EVA tools in a weightless environment, astronauts Wakata and Noguchi were suspended from a crane during the training session.

The training included how to control their bodies while using the powered Pistol Grip Tool (PGT) while tightening or loosening a bolt. While using the PGT in a weightless environment, the body can pivot and turn in the same direction as the torque from the PGT.