JAXA Astronaut Activity Report, October 2009:JAXA Astronaut Activity Report - JAXA´s Astronaut

JAXA Astronaut Activity Report, October 2009

Last Updated: January 5, 2010

This is JAXA's Japanese astronaut primary activity report for October 2009.

ISS Expedition Operations Training at ESA

Astronaut Furukawa in a training session on the Biolab incubator (©ESA - Marcel Soppa, 2009.)

The Expedition 22/23 backup crew member Astronaut Furukawa participated in a training session relating to ESA's Columbus module at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) of the European Space Agency (ESA) in Germany.

During the training, Astronaut Furukawa acquired knowledge on the Columbus laboratory's Communication System, Thermal Control System, and other subsystems including the Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS). He also participated in a training session on malfunction procedures in cases of anomaly in such subsystems.

During the training session on the Biolab, Astronaut Furukawa received training on the outline of the rack systems, command and control, initial activation of the temperature control unit (TCU), outline and activation procedures of the incubator used for incubation of experiment samples, and procedures to replace equipment in the Biolab Glovebox.

Astronaut Furukawa also participated in a training session on the experiments sponsored by ESA. He reviewed outlines and procedures of ESA's experiment "Long Term Microgravity: A Model for Investigating Mechanisms of Heart Disease with New Portable Equipment (CARD)," which aims to examine increases in cardiac output and lowering blood pressure in microgravity. He also learned to operate the equipment for the 3D-Space experiment, which aims to investigate the effects of microgravity on the mental representation of spatial cues.


	"During the training session at ESA, I was able to acquire deeper knowledge and insight into the Columbus laboratory's systems, the experiments, and specific protocol of each experiment to be conducted in the laboratory. It has been 8 months since I last participated in the trainings at ESA." "The launch of Astronaut Noguchi aboard the Soyuz spacecraft on December 21 is approaching. I, as backup crew, have been trained for the mission on the same time schedule as Astronaut Noguchi, and will also be there at Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on launch day. I appreciate your great support for Astronaut Noguchi."

ASCAN Training Course at NASA

Astronaut Candidate Kanai listening to the explanation of the cockpit in a training simulator (second from right)

JAXA astronaut candidates Yui, Onishi, and Kanai continue with NASA's astronaut candidate (ASCAN) training course in the United States. In October, they participated in training sessions according to the schedules assigned to each candidate.

Astronaut Candidate Yui participated in training sessions at NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC) on robotics operations. Using a simulator, he learned the operations procedures of robotics systems and practiced operating the remote manipulator systems.

Astronaut Candidate Onishi participated in training sessions at JSC on the International Space Station (ISS) systems. He attended lectures on various ISS systems, and reviewed the storage locations of supplies in the full-scale ISS mock-up.

Astronaut Candidate Kanai participated in aircraft flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida. He attended lectures on the cockpit and emergency procedures, and after practicing maneuvering of the aircraft using the flight simulator, he piloted the actual training aircraft.

Space Day 2009: TKSC Open Day

Astronauts Noguchi and Yamazaki answering questions from audience

Astronauts Noguchi and Yamazaki participated in Space Day 2009 TKSC Open Day at JAXA's Tsukuba Space Center (TKSC) from JSC in Houston, via a videoconference.

The two astronauts introduced the missions they will participate in, their current feelings and determination, and the things they are looking forward to during the mission.

Audience at the Space Day 2009 site

A questions and answers session with the audience was held and various questions were asked, such as, what had been the hardest training so far, what made them become astronauts, and what they would miss the most during the mission.

At the end of the session, Astronaut Noguchi said, "I hope, through my activities as an ISS expedition crew member, everyone can realize the value and wonderfulness of the Japanese Experiment Module, Kibo." Astronaut Yamazaki said, "We are breathing life into Kibo. I am looking forward to working with my colleagues in space."

Astronaut Wakata's Mission General Debriefing

Astronaut Wakata explaining his stay aboard the ISS on his expedition mission

The mission's general debriefing by Astronaut Wakata was held at Shibuya C. C. Lemon Hall (Shibuya, Tokyo) on October 28, 2009.

Astronaut Wakata explained his mission from the launch of the STS-119 (15A) mission followed by a long-duration stay in the ISS, to returning aboard the STS-127 (2J/A) mission. He also introduced the newly completed Kibo, the interior of the ISS, and described life in space as well as how he felt staying in space.

CAMPCOM Services during the HTV Mission

Astronaut Hoshide as a CAPCOM

Astronaut Hoshide served as a CAPCOM (Capsule Communicator) at NASA's Mission Control Center (MCC) in Houston during undocking of the H-II Transfer Vehicle "Technical Demonstration Vehicle" (HTV-1). From the MCC, he monitored the HTV-1 departing from the ISS. The HTV-1 reentered Earth's atmosphere on November 2 and successfully completed the mission.