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This is JAXA's Japanese astronaut primary activity report for November 2006.
Kibo Operations Simulation Training |
| Astronaut Furukawa participating in the training |
Astronaut Furukawa participated in the Operations Simulation Training for the Japanese Experiment Module “Kibo,” conducted at JAXA’s Tsukuba Space Center (TKSC). The purpose of the Kibo Operations Simulation training is to improve the flight controller's operational skills by simulating the various operational stages planned for Kibo.
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| Astronaut Furukawa (left) and a Flight Director (right) |
This session simulated the operations during the crew sleeping period, after Kibo is launched and attached to the International Space Station (ISS). Astronaut Furukawa also observed the Kibo system operations personnel, so as to review the operation schedule and for troubleshooting, as well as to better understand the tasks of the flight controllers who will be working in the Mission Control Room on the ground.
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The training of the flight controllers in Tsukuba is progressing steadily in anticipation of the launch of Kibo in a little over a year’s time. Since I last participated in the training this past July, the sharing of information amongst the team has made great strides. I hope to see further improvements throughout the training sessions. |
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Astronauts Hoshide and Yamazaki working at NASA |
| Astronaut Hoshide (right) supporting Canadarm2 operations and astronaut Yamazaki (left) serving as the CAPCOM |
The two JAXA astronauts currently assigned to work at NASA happened to be working in the Mission Control Center (MCC) at NASA’s Johnson Space Center (JSC) on the same day. Once or twice a month, astronaut Hoshide serves as a Capsule Communicator (CAPCOM) between the ISS and the MCC, as part of his assignment at NASA. Astronaut Yamazaki supports the operations of the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (Canadarm2).
Astronaut Yamazaki is currently taking a leading role in supporting the operations of the Canadarm2 for the ISS Expedition 14 crew. Astronaut Yamazaki, while at the MCC, communicates with the ISS crew members on orbit as they operate the Canadarm2 and organizes the teamwork between the flight controllers and the ISS crew. Canadarm2 is designed to be operated by at least two crew members; however, it is currently difficult to assign two ISS crew members from the three crew members currently on orbit. Consequently, astronaut Yamazaki supports the operation while one of the ISS crew members operates the Canadarm2.
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| Astronauts Hoshide (left) and Yamazaki (right) |
On this day, astronaut Hoshide, serving as the CAPCOM, and astronaut Yamazaki, supporting the Canadarm2 from the MCC, supported the moving of the Canadarm2 closer to the window of the US laboratory Destiny. The objective of this operation was to have the ISS crew members photograph the inside of the manipulator’s Latching End Effector (LEE). In preparation for the upcoming STS-116 shuttle mission, the astronauts also participated in the operation to move the Mobile Transporter (MT) to the port side of the main truss.
Astronaut Yamazaki also verified whether the software that will be used to attach the new P5 spacer truss segment to the main truss of the ISS would function properly by actually operating the Canadarm2 on orbit.
Astronaut Noguchi receiving the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation |
| Consul-General Kamo (right) and astronaut Noguchi (©Consulate-General of Japan in Houston) |
Astronaut Noguchi was awarded the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation for his outstanding achievements as part of the Space Shuttle STS-114 mission. The presentation ceremony was held at the Japanese Consulate-General in Houston.
Japanese Consul-General Kamo made a congratulatory speech praising astronaut Noguchi’s achievements in the fields of science and technology. Astronaut Noguchi expressed his gratitude for the award and stated that space exploration relies on teamwork. Astronaut Noguchi believed that the award was given as recognition of the overall efforts by JAXA.
Astronaut Noguchi receiving the Eagle-On-the-World Award |
| Astronaut Noguchi speaking to the audience (©JCCI New York) |
Astronaut Noguchi attended the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry New York (JCCI) 22nd Annual Dinner, where he was presented with the Eagle-On-the-World Award for his achievements in space exploration. Astronaut Noguchi received applause for providing hope to the people of the United States and Japan, as well as to the whole world, through his efforts.
During his speech, astronaut Noguchi, in recognizing one of the other recipients of the award, Bobby Valentine, who is a manager of baseball team, expressed what is required to lead a baseball team to victory and what is necessary to lead a space shuttle mission to success.
Astronaut Furukawa’s Lecture at the Tokyo Techno Forum 21 |
| Symposium panelists (From left to right: Director Matogawa, astronaut Furukawa, and Ms. Haruyo Nomoto) (Photo Courtesy of Yomiuri Shimbun, Tokyo, Japan) |
Astronaut Furukawa participated in a symposium titled, “Expanding the Expectations of Spin-off from Space Technologies – Scientists and Astronauts Talk of the Past, Present and Future,” held at Tokyo Techno Forum 21. Other members of the panel included Yasunori Matogawa (Director of JAXA Space Education Center) and Haruyo Nomoto (science writer).
At the symposium, some examples of the technologies and discoveries derived from space exploration and currently used in our daily lives, as well as, the potential of such knowledge being utilized in the future, were presented. Astronaut Furukawa gave a lecture as part of the symposium. Astronaut Furukawa covered a variety of topics including the ISS, Japanese Experiment Module Kibo, experiments to be conducted in Kibo, and an overview of the astronauts’ training.
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