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This is JAXA's Japanese astronaut primary activity report for February 2007.
Evaluation of the Next-Generation Spacesuits at NASA |
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| Astronaut Yamazaki during the evaluation | |
Astronaut Yamazaki participated in an evaluation of the next-generation spacesuits. The evaluation was conducted at the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) at NASA’s Johnson Space Center (JSC).
NASA has been developing the next generation of spacesuits with a focus on the anticipated missions to the Moon and Mars. The spacesuit’s weight and center of gravity are currently being evaluated as part of the spacesuit developmental efforts. The objectives of the just completed evaluation were to determine the effects that differences in weight and center of gravity have on the operability of the suits. Astronaut Wakata has also participated in this development effort through his participation in the 10th NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operation (NEEMO), in July 2006.
Astronaut Yamazaki donned the experimental spacesuit and then emulated a variety of movements, such as walking, running, standing up on her knees, scooping stones by using a shovel, and going up and down slopes of varying degrees in the NBL pool. She then evaluated the spacesuit for its operability.
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The evaluation lasted approximately three hours and covered several different combinations of weight and center of gravity. This was an invaluable experience for me, in that I was able to learn that mobility and operability significantly changes depending on the weight and the center of gravity, and that I was also able to participate in the evaluation of the spacesuit. As a Japanese, in the future I would like to participate in the missions to the Moon and Mars. I hope we can all consider the different ways in which Japan can contribute to the exploration of the Moon and Mars. |
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National Outdoor Leadership School: NOLS |
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| Astronaut Hoshide (back), preparing a meal. | Astronaut Hoshide (left), moving from one campsite to another. |
Astronaut Hoshide participated in the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) conducted in the state of Wyoming, USA. The NOLS lasted for two weeks.
The NOLS training program is conducted under stressful conditions, similar to those experienced in space. The NOLS goals are to understand and learn self-control and teamwork, including leadership and followership. During the training in the snow-covered mountains, the participants alternately served as leaders for a day. All of the members cooperated as they strived to learn how to survive in the harsh outdoors.
The NASA participants, including JAXA’s Astronaut Hoshide, moved amongst the campsites, set up shelters, and searched for survival materials in the mountains.
Joint Multi-Segment Training (JMST) for the Japanese Experiment Module “Kibo” |
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| Astronaut Doi participating in the JMST. | Astronaut Yamazaki participating in the JMST. |
Astronauts Doi and Yamazaki participated in the Joint Multi-Segment Training (JMST) that was conducted by linking JAXA’s Tsukuba Space Center (TKSC) with NASA’s Johnson Space Center (JSC). The JMST is a training session that NASA conducts by linking to the International Space Station (ISS) international partners’ facilities and remote facilities. The JMST that links TKSC and JSC was conducted to simulate the operations of Kibo and began in February 2007.
Astronaut Doi participated in the JMST rehearsal, whereas astronaut Yamazaki participated in the first JMST session from JSC. Both astronauts assumed the roles of crew members on orbit. The astronauts simulated the activation of Kibo, which will be done in coordination with the flight controllers on the ground.
JAXA will continue with preparations for operating Kibo on orbit and will continue conducting the JMSTs, in cooperation with NASA, on a regular basis.
Evaluation of the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) |
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| Astronaut Noguchi wearing the EMU during the evaluation. | |
Astronaut Noguchi participated in an evaluation of the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU). The evaluation was conducted at the Johnson Space Center (JSC). The EMUs currently in use have undergone a partial redesign and will be improved based on the evaluations submitted by the astronauts who have actually participated in extravehicular activities (EVAs).
The just completed test focused on the EMU boots. Astronaut Noguchi wore the EMU and emulated the movements his feet would make during the spacewalks. Astronaut Noguchi evaluated the boots for fitness.
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