JAXA Astronaut Activity Report

Activities of Japanese astronauts during the STS-119 mission

Astronaut Wakata during the STS-119 mission

During the STS-119 (15A) mission, on which Astronaut Wakata made his one-way journey to the ISS, JAXA astronauts and ground team supported the mission in many different aspects.

Astronauts Noguchi, Furukawa, Hoshide and Yamazaki held press briefings several times at NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) and NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC) to brief Japanese news media on the launch of Discovery and the technical aspects of on-orbit activities performed by Astronaut Wakata.

In the press briefings, Astronauts Noguchi and Furukawa, who are assigned for future International Space Station (ISS) Expedition missions, and Astronaut Yamazaki, who is assigned for an ISS assembly mission, also expressed their hopes and aspirations for their respective missions.

Astronaut Wakata, the first Japanese astronaut to serve an ISS Expedition mission, has begun his long-duration stay aboard the ISS as a Flight Engineer for the ISS Expedition 18/19/20. In June 2009, the STS-127 (2J/A) mission, the third and last Kibo assembly mission, will arrive at the ISS. Astronaut Wakata will conduct installations of the Exposed Facility (EF) and the Experiment Logistics Module Exposed Section (ELM-ES), which will be delivered by the STS-127 Mission. He will also transfer three exposed facility (EF) payloads from the ELM-ES to the EF. After completing the scheduled Kibo assembly-related tasks, he will return to the ground along with the STS-127 Mission crew members and the unloaded ELM-ES.

2J/A Mission

Extravehicular Activity Training

Astronaut Noguchi using PGT

Astronaut Noguchi reviewing the procedure of EMU maintenance

Astronaut Noguchi, who is assigned as a crew member for the ISS Expedition 22/23 Mission, participated in Extravehicular Activities (EVA) training at NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC).

During the training, Astronaut Noguchi handled the EVA tools while his body was suspended from a crane in order to simulate motions and postural control in a weightless condition. Astronaut Noguchi practiced the Pistol Grip Tool (PGT), which is used to fasten and loosen bolts. He learned how to conduct bolting with the PGT while balancing his body against the PGT torque.

Astronaut Noguchi also participated in training on maintenance and inspection of the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU), a US-built spacesuit, which is used for spacewalks from the Quest airlock (US segment airlock).

ISS Emergency Procedure Training

Astronauts Kotov, Noguchi, and Creamer during ISS emergency training (from right to left)

Astronaut Noguchi, along with Astronauts Oleg Kotov and Timothy Creamer, participated in ISS emergency procedure training, using the ISS full-scale mock-up training facility at JSC. In the training, they reviewed the emergency procedure for contingency situations aboard the ISS.

Astronaut Noguchi is scheduled to travel to the ISS aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft (Soyuz TMA-17 (21S)) with Astronauts Kotov and Creamer. After a six-month stay on the ISS, the three astronauts will return to the ground on the same spacecraft.