JAXA Astronaut Activity Report, March 2006

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This is the March 2006 report on the primary activities of JAXA's astronauts. Astronauts Furukawa, Hoshide, and Yamazaki participated in a press conference to report on the completion of their Space Shuttle Mission Specialist Training. The astronauts will continue their training, primarily at the Johnson Space Center (JSC), and their technical activities at NASA.

Refresher Training for the Japanese Experiment Module Kibo

Astronaut Noguchi training on robotic-arm manipulation using a simulator	Astronaut Yamaguchi attending a lecture

Astronauts Noguchi and Yamazaki participated in refresher training on Kibo at the Tsukuba Space Center (TKSC). The purpose of this training was to enhance their skills related to Kibo under the guidance of an instructor. Their refresher course included training on the Electrical Power System (EPS), Command and Data Handling (C&DH) System, Experiment Support System, and Remote Manipulation System (RMS) operations. They also participated in emergency and malfunction training, as well as training on regular Kibo operations.

Flight Crew Interface Test (FCIT) on Kibo Experiment Logistics Module Pressurized Section (ELM-PS)

Astronaut Wakata inspecting the equipment

Astronaut Wakata conducted a Flight-Crew Interface Test (FCIT) on Kibo ELM-PS. Astronauts who have space-flight or training experience conducted the FCIT sessions. The test verifies that the equipment to be launched can be operated without any difficulty while in orbit.

This test session verified the operation and safety of the equipment that the astronauts will work with while in orbit. The activities included the installation and removal of the MLI covers on the Common Berthing Mechanism (CBM), which is part of the ELM-PS, and the installation of a GPS antenna for use with the H-II Transfer Vehicles (HTV).

	Because these support and development tasks included working directly with flight hardware, this session provided an invaluable training opportunity for us, the astronauts. All of the equipment that we tested during the session had been designed with the astronaut workability in mind. I felt that the development and operational preparation for Kibo launch has been steadily progressing in a step-by-step fashion.

Lecture at the Space Monozukuri Forum in Nagoya

Astronaut Mukai giving her lecture

Astronaut Mukai gave a lecture on the "Challenges in Utilizing the Space Environment–Through the Eyes of an Astronaut" at the Space Monozukuri Forum in Nagoya. More than 270 people attended the lecture.

Astronaut Mukai talked about the things that led her to become an astronaut, and what her job as an astronaut was like. Astronaut Mukai provided some interesting stories about her exchanges with her fellow astronauts. She also talked about the potential of space, especially in relation to creating things (monozukuri). She presented an example of roses that changed their scents after being brought to space. These changed scents have now been commercialized as a perfume. She explained that space is a place for both work and play, and it offers a variety of uses.

Lecture by Astronaut Noguchi on his "15 Days Aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery"

Astronaut Noguchi responding to a question

Astronaut Noguchi lectured on "15 Days Aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery" at the MibuMunicipalElementary School, in TochigiPrefecture. Approximately 600 people, mainly elementary school children, attended the session.

Astronaut Noguchi talked about his experiences on board the Space Shuttle Discovery. He presented each topic using various "classroom" styles. He described "the morning calls" for the Discovery mission in a music lesson, and the space food in the domestic science lesson. He even gave some geography quizzes that showed photos of various locations in Japan, as seen from space. Astronaut Noguchi's lecture was enthusiastically received, with a big round of applause given to Astronaut Noguchi upon his departure.

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