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ISS/Kibo Times

The ISS/Kibo Times - Summer issue 2019 -

The ISS / Kibo Times will be issued quarterly to introduce Japan's activities on the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo", the International Space Station (ISS), and the activities of JAXA Astronauts.

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- CONTENTS -
1. ISS/Kibo Topics
2. JAXA Astronauts Activities
3. Recommended Videos

1. ISS/Kibo Topics

HTV8 media briefing at Tanegashima Space Center (July 19, 2019)

On July 19th, the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV8) "KOUNOTORI8" was unveiled to media at JAXA's Tanegashima Space Center (TNSC) along with the briefing of its upcoming mission. Many journalists gathered to take the opportunity to see the flight vehicle before launch with their eyes.

[Press Release] JAXA and Sony CSL to Conduct In-Orbit Demonstrations of Long-Distance Laser Communication Using Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo" on the International Space Station (July 29, 2019)

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA, President: Hiroshi Yamakawa) and Sony Computer Science Laboratories, Inc. (Sony CSL, President and CEO: Hiroaki Kitano) today announced their plans to conduct in-orbit demonstrations of the long-distance laser communication system, which they have jointly developed with the aim of establishing a real-time, mass-data communication system for future inter-satellite communications and communications with ground stations. The system, currently known as Small Optical Link for International Space Station (SOLISS), will be carried aboard the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV8) "KOUNOTORI-8", the cargo transporter to the International Space Station (ISS), which is scheduled for launch on September 11th, 2019. The in-orbit demonstrations will be conducted using the Exposed Facility of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) "Kibo".

Successful dietary intervention of mice using an improved MARS（Multiple Artificial-gravity Research System）under artificial 1g (August 29, 2019)

After completing long-term habitation of JAXA's 4^th "Mouse habitat mission" (32 days from May 4 to June 4), which has been performed in the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo", the mice were accommodated in return cages and returned to the west coast of the United States by the 17^th operational vehicle of the Dragon spacecraft (SpX-17).

HTV8 Payload (August 29, 2019)

HTV8 delivers a total of 5.4 metric tons (in the Pressurized Logistics Carrier (PLC) 3.5 metric tons and in the Unpressurized Logistics Carrier (ULC) 1.9 metric tons) supplies to the ISS. Major supply goods to be delivered on board are introduced on the web page.

[Press Release] Cooperation between JAXA and MBRSC in the educational project on the Japanese Experiment Module, Kibo (September 6, 2019)

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) of the United Arab Emirates will cooperatively perform an educational project that uses JAXA's "Int-Ball", a camera robot for the International Space Station, when the UAE astronaut gets on board the International Space Station for the first time.

Multilateral Coordination Board Joint Statement toward the development of the Gateway (September 10, 2019)

On August 6, 2019, the International Space Station (ISS) Multilateral Coordination Board (MCB) met, where JAXA had participated in this board to assist the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) as a space agency. At the MCB, representatives from the United States, Canada, Europe, Russia and Japan acknowledged the progress of the ISS operation and the growing economy in low-Earth orbit through the increased use of ISS, and also reviewed the status on the technical assessment on a human outpost in the lunar vicinity- Gateway and reaffirmed their intentions to continue cooperation, and released the Joint Statement.

A mice habitat system in Kibo received the 2019 ISS Research Award for Innovation in Biology and Medicine! (September 11, 2019)

The ISS Research Awards has started since 2013. Japan's research and development has been awards in 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2018 in the past, making this the fourth year in a row to receive this award. In 2019, 11 researches were selected, one of which, JAXA's "Development of A Unique Rodent Research Capability Which Can Reveal Gravitational Effects To Mice With An On-Orbit Centrifuge" received the Innovation Award in Biology and Medicine.

10th Anniversary Event for the KIBO and KOUNOTORI (September 19, 2019)

On September 2 2019, a 10th anniversary event for the Kibo and KOUNOTORI was held at the exhibition hall Space Dome in JAXA's Tsukuba Space Center (Tsukuba, Ibaraki). Space Dome was bustled with many of those who have worked on development and operation of the Kibo and KOUNOTORI, guests from within and outside Japan, and people from media. The event was carried out in a genial mood where they caught up with old friends and laughed at the speeches with jokes by the speakers on the podium.

[Press Release] Launch Results of the H-II Transfer Vehicle KOUNOTORI8 aboard H-IIB Vehicle No. 8 (September 25, 2019)

At exactly 5 minutes and 5 seconds past 1 o'clock on the morning of September 25, 2019, the H-II Transfer Vehicle known as "KOUNOTORI8" (HTV8), the cargo transporter to the International Space Station (ISS), was launched aboard H-IIB Launch Vehicle No. 8 (H-IIB F8) from the JAXA Tanegashima Space Center.

Please visit the latest news site: HTV8 Mission News

WEB Version JAXA's (August30,2019)

JAXA and Private Businesses are Co-Creating the Space Business

More than 50 companies, universities, research institutions, and other organizations are participating in a project, "Space Food X", to resolve issues related to the production and supply of food, both on Earth and in outer space. The project seeks to create the world's first space food market.

2. JAXA Astronauts Activities

JAXA Astronaut Soichi Noguchi

[Press Release] Status of JAXA Astronaut Soichi Noguchi's　Preparation of Upcoming International Space Station (ISS) Expedition (July 23, 2019)

JAXA astronaut Soichi Noguchi, as he was released from his backup crew assignment for Soyuz 59S with its successful launch, is now slated to begin training to board a United States Crew Vehicle (USCV) while he continues to train for an ISS expedition crew.

The specific vehicle provider and its flight schedule will be announced when more details are available.

3. Recommended Videos

We introduce hot videos from the JAXA YouTube channel.

• JAXA HTV-8 Launch - September 25, 2019 (September 25, 2019) (in Japanese)

An unpiloted Japanese cargo ship was launched Sept. 25 from the Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan on a Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency H-IIB rocket to send the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV-8) to orbit on a four-day journey to deliver more than four tons of supplies, spare parts and experiment hardware to the International Space Station. A significant component of the cargo are a half-dozen new lithium-ion batteries and accompanying adapter plates that will replace aging nickel-hydrogen batteries for two of the station's power channels on the far port truss (P6 truss) of the complex.

• SSRMS captures HTV8 (KOUNOTORI8) (September 28, 2019) (in Japanese)

Onboard astronaut Christina H. Koch captured HTV8 (KOUNOTORI8) with the station's robotic arm (Space Station Remote Manipulator System: SSRMS) at 8:13 p.m., September 28.

• UAE-Japan Camera Robot Education Project on the ISS/Kibo (September 30, 2019) (in English and Arabic)

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) of the United Arab Emirates and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) of Japan cooperatively perform an educational project that uses JAXA's "Int-Ball", a camera robot for the International Space Station (ISS), when the UAE astronaut, Hazzaa Al Mansoori gets on board the ISS. The educational demonstration performed by Hazzaa Al Mansoori on the ISS/Kibo were broadcast.

• Press conference, Dr. Hiroshi Yamakawa, President, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Mr. Jim Bridenstine, Administrator, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) - September 25, 2019 (September 25, 2019) (in English and Japanese)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said that he wants to take the U.S. space partnership with Japan to a new level by stepping up cooperation by going to the moon and eventually to Mars together.

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Next issue will be around the end of this year.

Publisher: Human Spaceflight Technology Directorate, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

*All times are Japan Standard Time