| Basic Training Report,
August 1999 |
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Lectures at the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) and
space suit fit check are the topics for this month.
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Lectures at the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science |
Director of ISAS and ASCANs |
Receiving lectures |
Astronaut candidates (ASCANs) Furukawa, Hoshide, and Sumino visited the
Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) in Sagamihara City
in Kanagawa prefecture from August 18 to 20. They received lectures on
space science research, astronomy, Moon and planetary exploration, and
solar physics, which are the themes of space observation being conducted
and space science fields being researched in Japan. They then toured the
facilities and viewed satellites under development.
During the lecture on Stars and Constellations, they visited the Sagamihara
city museum's planetarium and learned how to determine their own position
from the positions of stars and constellations. They also observed the
stars from the roof of the building.
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| Facility tour
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Lecture in a planetarium |
Astronomical observation
ASCAN Hoshide |
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Underwater space suit fit check |
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| Ascan Furukawa |
The ASCANs are scheduled to receive Extravehicular Activity (EVA) training
in February 2000 at Tsukuba Space Center to learn basic EVA skills.
An underwater space suit is almost identical to a real space suit used
for EVA in space. Space suit parts such as the hard upper torso, lower
torso, and gloves are provided in various sizes to fit for each astronaut.
Sizing parts are inserted to adjust the length of arms and legs.
It is difficult to move freely in a space suit. For instance, shoulder
movement is restricted, view is obstructed. Poorly fit gloves make it difficult
to operate. To allow better movement, the space suit must be adjusted to
the astronaut.
Fit check was conducted to find a better space suit size for each ASCAN.
Using sizing parts, they determined correct sizing parts for the arms and
legs, and checked for any pain and the movement of their arms and fingers.
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| Checking the grasp. |
Checking if
keyboard and switches can be operated. |
Checking operability
of EVA Tether. |
The next report will be issued in early October.
Last Updated : September 10, 1999
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