| "Kibo"
pilot training for the Japanese Experiment Module Instructor Evaluation |
|
 |
Experiment Logistics Module Pressurized Section
trainer (left),
Pressurized Module trainer (right) |
The second "Kibo" pilot training for the Japanese Experiment Module
Instructor Evaluation was conducted at the Tsukuba Space Center from 20
to 28 August, with ESA astronaut Dr. Reinhold Eward and ESA Columbus Module
instructor Mr. Christian Steinhoff as invited trainees.
 | Kibo
Instructor Evaluation |
 |  |
| Training using "Kibo" System Trainer | Training
using Pressurized Module Trainer |  |  |
| Training using Pressurized
Module Trainer |  |  |
| Training using Pressurized
Module Trainer | NASDA is responsible for the International
Space Station (ISS) astronaut training related to Kibo. Included as one of the
training courses is Kibo Operations Training. This training course is to be conducted
following the Basic Training.
This evaluation was performed following the Kibo Pressurized Module (PM)
Pilot Training that was conducted from November through December last year. Based
on the previous training experience, the training method was improved and training
was conducted as a final rehearsal for the actual training slated to occur this
fall. Another purpose of this training was to confirm that the training instructors
have adequate training skills.
Ordinarily, for two trainees, one instructor
and engineers from the manufacture that has designed and developed the equipment
participate in the training as technical experts. In order to conduct the practical
training effectively in a short period of time, the astronaut trainee listens
to lectures on the training outline during TV conferences, watches video materials,
reads training manuals, and then takes practical training courses.
Prior
to the start of training, a meeting will be held to review what the trainee learned
beforehand, then Kibo operations training will be conducted using the Kibo Training
facility. Most Kibo operations will be performed using System Laptop Terminals
(SLTs). However, valve handing and equipment exchanges by trainees are also important
portions of the training.
| Life-size
mock-up for training |
 |  |  |
| Inside of Pressurized Module
trainer | Kibo PM trainer and the Experiment Logistics
Module Pressurized Section trainer are life-size training facilities that simulate
the actual Kibo components. They are equipped with liquid or electric lines, valves,
and communications facilities. They are useful for teaching Kibo's system configurations
and layouts.
The "Kibo" System Trainer simulates system control
computers and SLTs used to learn how to send control commands to equipment and
how to confirm measurements and control data from them.
NASDA is also
preparing an Airlock trainer, Robot arm trainer, Small fine-arm trainer, and an
Experiment trainer. They will be ready for use in, 2002.
| Future
plan | The ESA astronaut and training instructors said that
the training was well organized and the instructors' training and communication
skills were excellent. They also said that ESA's training method is almost identical
to that of NASDA and ESA is now preparing for the actual training that will be
started next spring.
This was the final pilot training. In September
a Training Readiness Review (TRR) will be held to confirm that preparations for
training the ISS astronauts are completed. NASDA's actual training will be started
in November.
|
