Kibo Advanced Training #2 was held for astronauts Doi and Furukawa, NASA astronaut Bowen, and ESA astronaut Eyharts.

The four astronauts were trained on Kibo systems such as the Remote Manipulator System (JEMRMS), Airlock and Exposed Facility (EF). They also learned about Japanese payloads including the Gradient Heating Furnace and Clean Bench.

In January 2003, the same Advanced Training was held for astronauts Wakata, Hoshide, and the others.

Training with VR system

Training with Kibo JEMRMS simulator

Training with Kibo Airlock Trainer

Astronaut Hoshide attended the Columbia Accident Investigation Status briefing with NASDA engineer to explain the status of the Accident Investigation Board and to answer questions from media.

At the end of March, "Cosmic Collage Fundamental Course spring session 2003" was held for children in the fifth to eighth grades at five places (Tomakomai, Tsukuba, Osaka, Hiroshima, and Tanegashima Island) over three days.

Astronaut Sumino participated in the opening ceremony in Tomakomai, where was connected with the five sites by satellite communication lines. She explained astronaut training and the present status of ISS. She then answered questions from children in the five sites and told them to "Enjoy trying to color the Universe to your color by showing your originality during these three days" in order to encourage them.

Astronaut Hoshide went to Hiroshima and Osaka in order to answer questions and introduce the training he had recieved.

Opening ceremony (at Tsukuba)	Astronaut Sumino (at Tomakomai)
Astronaut Hoshide (at Hiroshima)