Kibo's EVA procedure development test No. 4 (OPS #4) / WETS-EVA training No. 3

Kibo's Extravehicular Activity (EVA) procedure development test No. 4 (OPS #4) was conducted in the Weightless Environment Test Building (WET) at Tsukuba Space Center (TKSC) from November 4 to 22, 2002.

Additionally, Weightless Environment Test System (WETS)-EVA training No. 3 was conducted for Japanese astronauts from November 4 to December 12, 2002.

What is OPS #4?


Test area

Kibo's elements will be launched to orbit from fiscal year 2005 to 2007 in three Space Shuttle flights and will be assembled using manipulators and EVA.

This test is conducted to establish more efficient Kibo assembly EVA procedures by confirming the details, such as how to carry EVA tools, how to remove the thermal insulation that covers Kibo during launch phase, how the EVA astronauts move, and the time needed for these operations.

In this test, astronauts in underwater space suits (remodeled on-orbit space suits suitable for underwater) execute the assembly procedures using a life-size mockup of Kibo and related tools located in the water pool in the WET.

Contents of this test

This test is conducted to confirm the design validity of Kibo's Pressurized Module and Exposed pallet, which is an H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) module, with NASDA astronaut Wakata and NASA astronaut Scott Parazynski as test subjects.

They dived only once a day and their diving time reached in 3 to 4 hours.

Press Conference

The test was opened to the press on November 6. Astronaut Doi participated in the test wearing an underwater space suit, and astronaut Furukawa gave a description to the press.

Media Persons


Astronaut Furukawa explained the test

Astronaut Doi got into the pool


Astronaut Doi and support divers during the test

WETS-EVA training No. 3

WETS-EVA training was conducted so that NASDA astronauts could acquire EVA technical knowledge, and maintain and improve EVA skills.

Japanese astronauts were training for the work relevant to Kibo and HTV using mockups of them.


Astronaut Furukawa


Astronaut Hoshide

Last Updated : December 13, 2002