ISS Astronaut Activity Report, June 2003

This is NASDA's June 2003 primary activity report for Japanese ISS astronauts.

Flight Training

Astronaut Hoshide

Astronaut Sumino

Astronauts Hoshide and Sumino received flight training in Houston, Texas, using a small aircraft.

The purpose of this regular training is to maintain and improve skills necessary as an astronaut, such as multi-task handling, radio communication in English, and situation awareness in a stressful environment.

From Ellington Field, Houston, they flew the plane to the nearby La Porte Airport. They practiced take-offs and landings as well as instrument flight.

MEIT-III dry run

Astronauts Noguchi and Sumino participating in MEIT-III dry run

Kibo, the Japanese Experiment Module, has arrived in the US.
Kibo is planned to be connected to the International Space Station (ISS) Node 2 module on orbit. The Multi-Element Integration Test (MEIT) will be conducted to verify interfaces between Kibo and Node 2. The test will be carried out in late August and its preparation has been proceeding step by step.

Beforehand, a MEIT-III dry run was conducted in Houston, Texas, with participation by astronauts Doi, Noguchi, and Sumino. They made sure that the commands between the Kibo, ISS core and crew members worked successfully. They also established operational procedures that will be helpful in the actual testing.

Columbia Accident Investigation Status briefing

Astronaut Hoshide attended the Columbia Accident Investigation Status briefing with a NASDA engineer. He explained the status of the Accident Investigation Board and answered questions from the press.

Lecture at the Eiko Gakuen

Astronaut Furukawa gave a lecture at his alma mater, Eiko Gakuen, in Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture on June 7. He spoke to six hundred parents about the ISS, daily training of astronauts, and how he chose to become an astronaut.

The Japanese ISS astronauts' July activity report will be issued in August 2003. The next report will introduce the Soyuz spacecraft training going on in Russia.

Last updated: August 5, 2003