JAXA Astronaut Activity Report, July 2008:JAXA Astronaut Activity Report - JAXA´s Astronaut

JAXA Astronaut Activity Report, July 2008

Last Updated: September 2, 2008

This is JAXA's Japanese astronaut primary activity report for July 2008.

Intensive Medical Training

Astronaut Naoko Yamazaki participated in week-long intensive medical training at a hospital near NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) along with NASA astronauts.

In this training, astronauts attended lectures and received hands-on training using the facilities of the hospital to obtain medical skills required to treat injuries and sickness on orbit.

Under the guidance of medical staff, astronaut Yamazaki practiced medical treatment techniques such as emergency airway establishment, intravenous drip injection, catheter insertion, injury or burn treatment, an ophthalmic checkup, and dental treatment. She performed these medical treatment procedures on patients with consent and using dummies. The astronauts participating in the training also acted as subjects during the practice.

When crew members become injured or sick during their stay in the International Space Station (ISS) or their flight aboard the Space Shuttle, flight surgeons on the ground would be able to advise and instruct the on-orbit crew how to cope with the situation, but the crew members still need to perform the medical treatment themselves. Thus, most astronauts acquire medical skills through this kind of medical training.


	We had highly concentrated training for a week. Through the hands-on training, I learned medical treatment techniques for injury, burn, dental decay, and sickness that could happen on orbit. On the final day, I joined a medical team in the emergency room of the hospital on duty at night. I appreciate all the medical staff that helped us, and I would like to apply my newly learned skills if any medical emergencies occur during my space flight.

Kibo mission-specific training for ISS Expedition 18

Astronauts Wakata (center) and Noguchi (front) attending lecture on ice crystal growth experiment.

Astronauts Koichi Wakata and Soichi Noguchi, who had returned temporarily to Japan, participated in training at JAXA Tsukuba Space Center (TKSC) on operations of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Kibo for the ISS Expedition 18 mission.

Astronauts Michael Fincke and Sandra Magnus, who were assigned as ISS Expedition 18 mission crew members, and Astronaut Nicole Stott, who was assigned as the backup crew member for Magnus, visited Japan to participate in this training. They had training sessions using simulators and lectures about experiments and systems aboard Kibo. They also participated in operations training simulating the actual operation of Kibo with the JAXA Flight Control Team (JFCT).

Symposium “Celebrating Ten Years of the International Space Station”

Panel discussion during the symposium (Astronaut Furukawa, second from left)

The symposium "Celebrating Ten Years of the International Space Station" hosted by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) was held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France, on July 9 and 10, 2008.

On the first day, astronaut Satoshi Furukawa participated in a session entitled “Living and Working on the ISS” as one of the panelists, and joined a panel discussion with astronauts from different countries.

During the panel discussion, astronaut Furukawa commented on communicating with astronauts from different countries, emphasizing the importance of cross-border communication. “It is very interesting for me to learn and understand cultural differences between countries, and it is important training for astronauts.” He talked about experiments that he will perform aboard Kibo. “We would like to build a relationship of trust between the astronauts and the scientists.” He also mentioned his mission as an astronaut. “The main focus of my flight is to fully understand the importance of space science experiments and to communicate that importance to the general public.”

STS-124 (1J) Mission General Debriefing

Debriefing in TKSC

Astronaut Akihiko Hoshide returned to Japan and participated in the mission general debriefings held in several cities with other STS-124 (1J) crew members.

In the debriefings, Commander Mark Kelly introduced the crew members, and astronaut Akihiko Hoshide reported the mission. Astronaut Hoshide talked about how amazing his first space flight was. He cheered up the young audience saying, “I want many of you to go to space.” There was also a question and answer period with astronauts, with many questions from the floor. Astronaut Hoshide, who had fulfilled his dream of going to space, talked about his new dream. He said, “I want to participate in the ISS Expedition crew and conduct various experiments. And then, based on the experience on the ISS, I would like to go to the Moon."

1J Mission

26th JAXA town meeting in Izumo

During the town meeting

Astronaut Noguchi participated in the JAXA town meeting held at Izumo Science Center in Izumo, Shimane prefecture. He gave a speech entitled “New space activities starting from Kibo,” and explained Kibo and the ISS. He also discussed JAXA's vision for its future manned space flights and JAXA’s current manned space activities centering on Kibo utilization, with the people who gathered at the meeting. During the meeting, he had a special event with elementary and junior high school students.