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JAXA Astronaut Activity Report, April through May 2004
This is JAXA's primary activity report on Japanese astronauts from April to May 2004.
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Astronaut Wakata |
Astronaut Wakata received three weeks of training on Canadarm2 (Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS)) beginning April 13 at the Canada Space Agency and qualified as an operator.
Astronaut Wakata, who has been working as a robotics instructor astronaut for the NASA Astronaut Office, also participated in instructing and assessing the robotic arm operation. This was one of the required skills for him to finish this training curriculum.
In addition to his experience operating the Space Shuttle Remote Manipulator System (SRMS) for retrieving satellites of Japan and NASA, during the STS-72 mission and the ISS assembly during the STS-92 mission, the completion of this course now qualifies him as an operator of the three robotic arms. All three arms, the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo" Remote Manipulator System, Canadarm2, and the SRMS are related to the ISS program. Astronaut Wakata also participated in the tele-operation experiments of Engineering Test Satellite VII (ETS-VII) Mounted Robotic Arm in 1999, conducted at Tsukuba Space Center.
Astronaut Wakata is currently a member of the NASA Astronaut Office, where he is engaged in technical operation including the development and operation of the robotic arm and extravehicular activity. His main emphasis is on development tests for the return to flight of the Space Shuttle.
The first JAXA town meeting (a rally to discuss space including the general public) was held on May 29 at Miyakonojou City in Miyazaki Prefecture. This first town meeting was a rally held to raise public interest in space activities by having an open exchange of opinions between Japanese citizens and JAXA.
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Astronaut Doi and Mr. Matogawa participating in the rally |
The town meeting, titled "Citizen Participation on Space," attracted over 170 participants who exchanged opinions with Astronaut Doi and Mr. Yasunori Matogawa, an Associate Executive Director of the JAXA Public Affairs Office.
During the rally, astronaut Doi spoke of his space activities. He received questions and comments regarding the current space developments and human space flight. The citizens became more interested and excited about the space program as the rally proceeded.
Due to a lack of time, Astronaut Doi and Mr. Matogawa couldn't answer all the questions asked. JAXA is now hoping to seek a way toward future space development using the numerous opinions and survey results obtained from the general public.
Astronaut Doi hosted a talk show during the opening event of the "International Symposium on Space Technology and Science" held at Phoenix Seagaia Resort in Miyazaki. The venue for the talk show, a convention hall, was nearly filled by the 800 attendees.
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Astronaut Doi presenting a prize to a winner |
Dressed in a blue suit, Astronaut Doi, elaborated on his own extravehicular activities and activities on Space Shuttle STS-87, showing videos and photographs. During the Q and A session that followed, he answered each question one by one, especially those asked by the children. One question was, "What should we study to become an astronaut?" Astronaut Doi explained that the most important thing is to be enthusiastic about going to space. He added that not only scientists and doctors but also teachers and artists would have the privilege of going to space in the future.
There was a lottery drawing after the talk show, and astronaut Doi presented an H-2A rocket model and other prizes to the lucky winners.
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