JAXA Astronaut Activity Report, February 2005

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This is JAXA's Japanese astronaut primary activity report for February 2005.

Specialized training on Japan's Experiment Module, "Kibo"

Astronaut Doi (right) and Astronaut Wakata (left) attending a lecture

Astronaut Doi and Astronaut Wakata received specialized training on Japan's Experiment Module Kibo at the Tsukuba Space Center (TKSC). The purpose was to train a Kibo specialist, an astronaut who thoroughly understands and knows significantly more about Kibo than any other astronaut.

Astronaut Doi and Astronaut Wakata received training on the assembly, activation, and checkout procedures for Kibo and on anomalies that may occur during those procedures. They also attended lectures and received training for Kibo's airlock and Kibo's remote manipulator system, which in particular requires sophisticated operational skills.

Mission Specialist Candidate Training

Astronauts Furukawa, Hoshide, and Yamazaki continued their Mission Specialist training in February for the space shuttle. Space Shuttle System Training, lectures, and simulator training were conducted, as well as the Tier 2 test. The candidates also continued their T-38 jet training.

Space Shuttle System Training

Astronaut Yamazaki attending a lecture with a model of the space shuttle.

We have been trained on each subsystem. The Tier 2 test has been completed, and our training will now shift more toward actual operational training, such as going through the launch and landing processes by following the actual timelines.

Malfunction training commences as well. We will learn which message is displayed for each malfunction. We will identify malfunctions in the simulator based on the messages that are displayed. This type of training is very close to the real operation. Astronaut Furukawa, who is a practicing doctor, stated that this type of training is similar to the training that a doctor receives, in that the doctor differentiates the diagnosis from the patients' symptoms and observations.

NASA ASCAN Class 2004 Patch

	Each class of ASCAN at NASA designs their own patches. The members of our class exchanged opinions about the design, and Dottie (Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger) took the lead. All International Space Station (ISS) participant countries (USA, Russia, Europe, Canada, and Japan) are indicated on the Earth on our patch. The Moon and Mars were drawn since we are the class that will be heading toward them. The 14 stars represent the 14 members of the class, and the book represents the Educator Astronauts. The Number XIX signifies our class, which is the 19th class participating in ASCAN training. The flags of the two countries on the top are the home countries of our ASCAN class. The motto, “EXPLORANDI CONCITANDI DOCENDI GRATIA,” is a Latin phrase that surrounds the insignia and means “We Come to Explore, Inspire, and Teach." I am very pleased with this patch and the patch of the fourth class of JAXA astronauts, which was designed by friends who took the same class selection exam.

Lecture at Georgia Japanese Language School's 30th Anniversary

Children asking many questions

Astronaut Wakata gave a lecture to the school's students and parents and members of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia at the Georgia Japanese Language School. The stories of space and space shuttle flight experiences drew so many people that several had to stand. The students eagerly asked Astronaut Wakata many questions. The lecture was filled with energy.

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