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Astronaut Wakata's mission
Astronaut Wakata operated the robot arm during his previous flight as well.
Astronaut Wakata operates the robot arm during STS-72
Astronaut Wakata experienced his first space flight on Space Shuttle Endeavour (STS-72) in January 1996. During that flight, he successfully accomplished the important retrieval of the Japanese satellite "Space Flier Unit" that had been performing observation and experiments in space for ten months. He also manipulated the robot arm to support EVA and release a satellite into space.


Astronaut Wakata's primary tasks during mission STS-92
Based on his previous flight experiences, he will operate the Space Shuttle robot arm (SRMS) to participate in the international space station (ISS) assembly during mission STS-92 (assembly flight 3A). His primary tasks are as follows.
  • Operation of the Space Shuttle Remote Manipulator System
    Manipulating the Space Shuttle's robot arm (SRMS), he will connect the Z1 truss and the PMA-3, the primary payloads of this mission, to the ISS.
    During EVA, he will also support the EVA crew member, transporting the crew member or providing a scaffold to him or her at the end of the arm. In addition, he will examine the cargo bay and take video images of the ISS utilizing the video camera attached to the robot arm of the Space Shuttle after completion of the assembly tasks.

  • Shuttle System equipment on orbit Operation
    Cooperating with other crew members, he will operate the communications system and environment control system.

  • Shuttle system operation during launch phase
    During the launch, he will be located on the flight deck and will monitor the computer displays and instrument meters to acquire the Shuttle system status. Furthermore he will assist the commander, the pilot, and mission specialist 2, if necessary.

  • Photos and videos during rendezvous, docking and undocking
    Takes photographs and videos when the Shuttle rendezvous and docks to the ISS or undocks and leaves the ISS.

  • Work inside ISS
    Astronaut Wakata will help transfer equipment and materials from the Space Shuttle to ISS. This will be the first time a Japanese person ingress ISS. The equipment and materials that will be transferred to ISS will enable future astronauts to take up long-term residence on ISS.

  • Participation in public affairs events
    Astronaut Wakata will participate with the other crew members in public affairs events carried out by NASA and NASDA.

The table below lists astronaut Wakata's daily tasks.

Astronaut Wakata's on-orbit task schedule (STS-92 IPT #23(Feb. 4, 99)
Flight day Astronaut Wakata's primary tasks
Flight day 1 Launch and Insertion. Sleeps soon after the orbit insertion.
Flight day 2 Activates and checks out the SRMS. With SRMS camera, he checks out the cargo bay and Orbiter Space Vision System (OSVS).
Flight day 3 Supports rendezvous operation with ISS, takes photographs and video during docking.
Flight day 4 Operates the SRMS to lift the Z1 truss from the cargo bay and mate it to the ISS. Transfers supplies to the ISS.
Flight day 5 EVA1. Supports EVA1 operating the SRMS.
Flight day 6 EVA2. Lifts the PMA-3 from the cargo bay with the SRMS and attaches it to the ISS. He also supports EVA2 with the SRMS.
Flight day 7 EVA3. Supports EVA3 with the SRMS.
Flight day 8 EVA4. Supports EVA4 with the SRMS. Takes video images of the ISS with SRMS cameras after the completion of the assembly activities.
Flight day 9 He takes photographs and video images during the undocking operation and subsequent fly-around of the ISS. After participating in the PAO event, he takes a half day off.
Flight day 10 On-orbit press conference. Restores things, puts the cabin in order, then takes a half day off.
Flight day 11 Deorbit preparation. Deorbit. Landing.


Last Updated : September 28, 2000
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