JAXA Astronaut Activity Report, May 2005

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

Mission Specialist Candidate Training

In May, Astronauts Furukawa, Hoshide, and Yamazaki continued their Space Shuttle Mission Specialist training with lectures and simulators, as well as Space Shuttle system training and T-38 flight training. In addition, they began International Space Station (ISS) Training this month.

Space Shuttle System Training

Tier 4 examinations are now complete, and the Space Shuttle System Training is proceeding to Tier 5. That training will focus on responding to anomalies (malfunction training) and will use the simulator in conjunction with lectures on the Space Shuttle System.

ISS Training

Training also began this month for the ISS subsystem’s hardware and operations through lectures and using the Station Support Computer (SSC).

	Full training on the ISS started this month. Since the ISS assembly in orbit has progressed and the size of the system has grown, there are many new things to learn. We are training with a refreshed attitude. The procedures* now include a Kibo section that was not included before. This makes me very happy. Everyone is putting all of their effort into preparing for the launch of Kibo, which is tentatively scheduled for 2007. We’re striving for the day when Japan will be able to contribute more to the world through such scientific experiments. We hope this day will come soon.

* Procedure: Astronauts in orbit work with constant reference to procedure manuals to ensure safety and confidence. Even while on the ground, the astronauts participate in system operation training with the procedure manuals.

Specialized training on Japan’s Experiment Module, Kibo

Astronaut Doi (on the left) and the instructor

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

Astronaut Doi received training on assembly, activation, and anomalies that may occur during those activities. He received additional training on specific equipment and piping on Kibo, which will enable smooth operation.

Mt. Kigo Space School

Astronaut Doi explaining how to eat a meal in space

Astronaut Doi lectured at Mt. Kigo Space School at the Mt. Kigo Astronomic Observatory in Kanazawa, Ishikawa prefecture. Astronaut Doi spoke to the children about his experience in space, using real space food and showing what it was like to eat food in the Space Shuttle. The children asked a lot of questions about his space flight.

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