| Basic Training Report,
May 1999 |
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It's already been two months since basic training started in April 1999.
Three astronaut candidates (ASCANs) seem to have become accustomed to the
training, and they are eagerly participating in the training courses every
day.
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Primary training subjects of May. |
Medical training was conducted primarily in first half of May; in the latter
half, primarily Aerospace Engineering subjects, such as Electrical Power
System, Communications System, Mechanical Structure, Thermal Control, Flight
Dynamics, and Space Environment, were taught in the classroom.
This report will concentrate on Medical and Health maintenance training,
and Physical Strength training.
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| ASCANs Furukawa (left) and
Sumino (right) |
ASCAN Hoshide |
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Medical and Health Control training |
Since ASCANs must keep themselves in good physical condition, medical training,
especially health maintenance training, is conducted earlier than other
subjects during one and a half year of basic training period.
In May, they studied themes such as personal health maintenance, effects
of the space environment on the human body, physical injuries and care,
and Medical First Aid (MFA). Following lectures of MFA, revival, and physical
injury care, they actually experienced artificial respiration, Cardio-Pulmonary
Resusitation, carrying injured or unconscious persons to safe locations,
and bandaging.
These training courses teach ASCANs techniques to protect themselves, in
preparation for accidents during training courses using water pool for
water survival training or weightless environment training to be conducted
later in the basic training course.
| Practical Training |
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| Confirming Consciousness |
Cardio-Pulmonary
Resusitation |
Carrying Patients |
ASCAN Furukawa watching
leg artery |
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| Bandaging |
Blood Pressure
Measurement |
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Physical Strength training |
As part of the health maintenance activities, the three ASCAN's perform
physical training three times a week. The purpose of their training is
to maintain and increase their physical strength and improve their health.
When an astronaut stays in a microgravity environment for a long time,
his or her muscles and bones will become weak. Therefore, such physical
training is important to strengthen astronauts before they go to space.
In the middle of June, a swimming test will be conducted with ASCANs wearing
flight-suite-equivalent clothing. This test will be conducted in order
to prepare for landing in the water in case of an emergency. In July, water
survival training will be conducted. ASCANs are training themselves to
improve their swimming skills to prepare for this training.
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ASCAN Furukawa
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ASCAN Hoshide
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ASCAN Sumino
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Basic Training Instructor |
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I am responsible
for physical strength training. The objective of my instruction for these
three ASCANs is to train their muscles and body trunk bones which maintain
the lower body and the attitude of the whole body. |
Yasushi
Mizuno
Manager, astronauts' athletic training program
Space Environment Utilization System Department National Space Development
Agency of Japan |
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The next report will be issued in early July.
Last Updated : June.15, 1999
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