|
|||||
 | |||||
| << October | December>> |    |
This is JAXA's Japanese astronaut primary activity report for November 2004.
Mission Specialist Astronaut Candidate TrainingIn November, Astronauts Furukawa, Hoshide, and Yamazaki continued their Space Shuttle Mission Specialist training.
Space Shuttle System TrainingThe main segment of the Shuttle System Training started this November. It will continue for more than a year, and the candidates will receive training on the Shuttle System, emergency procedures, and other important facets of shuttle operation. This month, the candidates attended three lectures 1) a Shuttle operation conceptual overview, a Space Shuttle design summary, and 3) an operational procedure overview.
 |
 |
 |
This month, we began the main segment of the Shuttle System Training. Currently, all 14 of the 2004 ASCAN class are attending the lectures. I am looking forward to receiving training on the simulator, which will commence soon. We will also continue with the T-38 jet training, language training, as well as physical strength training, which will further enhance our basic abilities. |
 |
On-site training at the NASA facilities |
| X-43A attached to a B-52B for launch (taken on March 2004) |
This month, the candidates visited the Ames Research Center, the Dryden Flight Research Center, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). At the Ames Research Center, they observed development activities for enhancing the ISS. One of those activities included the development of a free-flying robot that will perform tasks such as shooting videos on board the ISS. At JPL, the candidates visited the Mars Exploration Rover Mission operations site. A day before their visit to the Dryden Flight Research Center, the X-43A scramjet made its successful flight, achieving a speed of Mach 9.8. The candidates experienced the passion that the people have while working with cutting-edge technology.
The 59th JCI World Congress in Fukuoka  |
| At the lecture |
Astronaut Wakata attended the 59th JCI World Congress held in Fukuoka and gave a keynote speech in English to an audience of approximately 800 people. Among the attendees included Junior Chamber International (JCI) members. The congress was held November 21-26, 2004 . In the keynote speech titled "Leadership in Space Flight," Astronaut Wakata described the leadership training used for the International Space Station expedition. Also, on "Seize Your Future," a lecture targeted at junior high school students, Astronaut Wakata discussed his work and daily activities during spaceflight. Approximately 420 people were in attendance.
A Teleconference
Session: A conversation with Soichi Noguchi, the astronaut who was
raised near the Sea of Chigasaki |
Astronaut Noguchi with the official flag of Chigasaki Hokuryo High School |
Astronaut Noguchi held a teleconference with the students of Chigasaki High School and his supporters at Chigasaki City. Approximately 1,100 people gathered at Chigasaki High School, Astronaut Noguchi's alma mater. The teleconference was held on the 50th anniversary of the High School. Cheers erupted as the image of Astronaut Noguchi, with the official flag of Chigasaki High School in the back ground, appeared on the screen.
Astronaut Noguchi talked about his experience of being a high school student seeing the footage of the Space Shuttle and how it eventually lead to his current career. Throughout his talk, Astronaut Noguchi conveyed the message that the students should begin thinking about their future and of their dreams.
Lecture at Austin Japanese School |
| At the lecture |
Astronaut Doi gave a lecture at the Austin Japanese School in Austin, Texas, USA, in which he described his experience on the STS-87 when he became the first Japanese Astronaut to conduct an Extra-Vehicular Activity (EVA). He talked about his life in space to over 180 of the school's kindergarten to junior high school students and their parents. The students were eager to ask questions. A student asked, "Is it harder to live in Space or on Earth?" Astronaut Doi answered "It is harder to live on Earth. Since there is no gravity in space, the body isn't fully utilized. Consequently, the muscles weaken during the prolonged stay in space, so I needed to exercise in space in order to maintain my muscle strength."
| << October | December>> | |
|
