JAXA Astronaut Activity Report

Training for the Japanese Experiment Module (Kibo) and H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV)

ISS Expedition 22/23 crew member Astronaut Noguchi and his backup, Astronaut Furukawa, came back to JAXA's Tsukuba Space Center (TKSC) in Japan to participate in training sessions on the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), Kibo, and on the experiments that will be performed on board Kibo during their assigned expedition mission. They also participated in training sessions on the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV).

During the training sessions related to the experiments in Kibo, they learned overviews and operational procedures of the following experiments: "Cbl-Mediated Protein Ubiquitination Downregulates the Response of Skeletal Muscle Cells to Growth Factors in Space (Myo Lab)", which will investigate the mechanism of muscle contraction; "Biological Effects of Space Radiation and Microgravity on Mammalian Cells (Neuro Rad)", which will examine the effect of space radiation on genes and the repair capacity of damaged cells in microgravity; and "Spatiotemporal Flow Structure in Marangoni Convection (Marangoni UVP)".

The Kibo and HTV training sessions focused on systems and operations, including how to operate the Small Fine Arm (SFA) of Kibo's robotic arm, the Japanese Experiment Module Remote Manipulator System (JEMRMS), and Kibo's Airlock, as well as how to transfer payloads using the JEMRMS.

Astronauts Noguchi (left) and Furukawa (right) during the press conference

These were the final training sessions in Japan for Astronaut Noguchi before his flight. Between training sessions, Astronauts Noguchi and Furukawa held a press conference at TKSC. During the conference, they talked about their training sessions, and expressed their enthusiasm for the remaining training sessions before launch. Astronaut Noguchi said, "Astronaut Wakata did a great job. As his successor, I would like to do the same quality of work, in a little more relaxed manner as well." Astronaut Furukawa looked forward to his ISS expedition mission, saying, "I hope to contribute to the science experiments in a proactive manner as well as system operations aboard the ISS, taking advantage of my background and career as a doctor."

ISS Expedition Operations Training

Astronauts Noguchi (right), Furukawa (center), and Creamer (left) during training on EVA preparation and cleanup

Expedition 22/23 crew member Astronaut Noguchi participated in a training session at NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC) for his upcoming ISS expedition mission.

Astronaut Noguchi, along with backup crew member Astronaut Furukawa and ISS Expedition 22/23 crew member Astronaut Timothy Creamer, reviewed the procedures for preparation and cleanup of Extravehicular Activities (EVA) equipment and tools, including maintenance of the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU), using the full-scale mockup of the Quest airlock.

Astronaut Noguchi (front) operating the robotic arm simulator

Astronauts Noguchi and Creamer also participated in a training session to simulate operations of the station's robotic arm, the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS), and the JEMRMS, using the Virtual Reality (VR) system. During the session, they reviewed the procedures to hand over the Expose Pallet (EP) of the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) from the JEMRMS to the SSRMS, and to transfer the EP to the Unpressurized Logistics Carrier (UPLC) of the HTV.

Astronaut Noguchi communicating via amateur radio

In addition, they conducted a preparatory exercise for the communication event via amateur radio, which is scheduled during their ISS expedition mission. They actually communicated with students in the US using training equipment in the mockup of the Russian service module, Zvezda.

JAXA's Basic Training for Astronaut Candidates

Mr. Yui during training of airlock operation

Mr. Ohnishi during training of robotic arm operation

Astronaut candidates Mr. Yui and Mr. Ohnishi participated in training sessions on the Japanese Experiment Module, Kibo, at JAXA's Tsukuba Space Center (TKSC), as part of JAXA's basic training program.

During the training session, they learned the structure and systems of Kibo, as well as subsystems, such as the Electrical Power System (EPS), Command and Data Handling (C&DH), Communication and Tracking (C&T), Thermal Control System (TCS), Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS), and Experiment Support System (ESS).

Mr. Yui's Kibo airlock training and Mr. Ohnishi's Kibo robotic arm training were open to media reporters.

During the post-training press conference, Mr. Yui expressed his hopes for NASA's training, saying, "I am looking forward to participating in the training with other candidates from NASA and Canada. I want to work collaboratively, but I will also keep in mind that we are competing against each other, so I hope to perform well in the training, as a candidate representing Japan".

Mr. Yui (left) and Mr. Ohnishi (right) during the press conference

Mr. Ohnishi looked back on his training in Japan, saying "My day goes by so quickly, starting each day thinking about the day's training sessions as I wake up, actual training at TKSC during daylight hours, and review of the sessions and preparation for the next training sessions as I go back home. I believe my days have been productive".

Activities of Japanese Astronauts during the STS-127 Mission

Astronaut Hoshide during CAPCOM operation

During the STS-127 (2J/A) mission, on which Astronaut Wakata completed Kibo's assembly and returned to Earth, the other JAXA astronauts and ground team supported the mission in many different aspects.

Astronaut Hoshide served as a Capsule Communicator (CAPCOM), responsible for voice communications with the ISS. As the Lead CAPCOM for the ISS, he coordinated the CAPCOMs for the ISS and the STS-127 mission. Astronaut Hoshide will also serve as a CAPCOM at NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC) during the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV-1) mission launched on September 11, mainly on duty when HTV-related robotic arm operations are conducted.

Astronaut Yamazaki held a press briefing at JSC for Japanese news media to outline the installation of the Experiment Logistics Module Exposed Section (ELM-ES) on Flight Day 7 (FD7) of the mission. She also detailed the Small Fine Arm (SFA) of Kibo's robotic arm, the Japanese Experiment Module Remote Manipulator System (JEMRMS), which will be launched on the HTV-1 mission.

Astronaut Yamazaki, who has been in training for the STS-131 mission, showed her mission-specific training on the robotic operations to the reporters. During the training, Astronaut Yamazaki simulated the robotics transfer operations according to procedures. Using the simulator, she unberthed the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) from the shuttle's payload bay and berthed it to Harmony (Node 2), and then again unberthed the MPLM from Harmony and returned it to the payload bay.

Astronaut Yamazaki also participated in the JAXA press conference after the return of the STS-127 mission, and talked about Astronaut Wakata's return home after his ISS expedition, saying, "It is a great pleasure for us to see him return home safe. I am determined to do my best to make the mission a success, following Astronaut Wakata and Astronaut Noguchi."