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This is JAXA's Japanese astronaut primary activity report for December 2009.
Expedition 22/23 crew members boarding the Soyuz TMA-17 spacecraft (21S)
（© S.P.Korolev RSC Energia）
Expedition 22/23 crew member Astronaut Soichi Noguchi was launched aboard the Soyuz TMA-17 spacecraft (21S) to start his 5-month mission on board the International Space Station (ISS).
Astronaut Noguchi's backup, Astronaut Furukawa, and Astronauts Wakata and Hoshide assisted in ground support activities associated with the launch.
Astronaut Yamazaki participating in post-insertion training
Astronaut Yamazaki is currently participating in training for the STS-131 mission at NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC).
Astronaut Yamazaki and other STS-131 mission crew members reviewed their tasks to be conducted after orbit insertion according to the actual mission timeline using the ISS full-scale mock-up training facility at JSC. The space shuttle is inserted into orbit approximately 8 minutes 30 seconds after the launch, and then, the crew starts working together, taking off the pressurized suits (launch and entry suits) and preparing the shuttle cabin for onboard activities.
The crew members also reviewed their tasks to be performed before deorbit and reentry. Before deorbit, as opposed to the post-insertion activities, the crew members clean up the cabin, inactivate the toilet and galley, and don a pressurized suit in preparation for reentry.
Astronaut Yamazaki, along with NASA astronaut Stephanie Wilson, participated in training for operating the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS). They practiced removal of the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) from the space shuttle's payload bay to attach it to the ISS, and unberthing of the MPLM from the ISS to store it in the shuttle's payload bay.
Astronaut Yamazaki at a media conference
Astronaut Yamazaki later returned to Japan temporarily and held a press conference at JAXA's Tokyo Office. She described her flight preparation status and answered questions from the press. She expressed her aspiration for the mission, saying, "I would like to concentrate on the mission to accomplish my duties. This mission will be a culmination for the space shuttle program. I hope to be able to add to what my predecessors have achieved and hand it to those who will follow."
This was her last visit to Japan before her mission.
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"I have been much inspired and encouraged by astronaut Noguchi's outstanding performance aboard the ISS. The STS-131 mission crew members have been working hard preparing for the mission in collaboration with the instructors, ground flight controllers, and flight surgeons. I am getting used to my launch and entry suit and have become comfortable donning it. During the mission, I will exercise what we have learned during the training and will bring mission success. I appreciate your continuing support." |
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Astronaut candidate Onishi taking exams on the ISS network system
Astronaut candidates Mr. Yui, Mr. Onishi, and Mr. Kanai continued astronaut candidate (ASCAN) training in the U.S. They attended lectures on the space shuttle program and the Apollo program.
Astronaut Onishi received training associated with the ISS systems, and took exams on the ISS network systems to sum up previous training sessions he had attended.
The three astronaut candidates temporarily returned to Japan to receive training on operations of Kibo's remote manipulator, the JEM Remote Manipulator System (JEMRMS).
Astronaut Wakata, explaining the mission
Astronaut Wakata, who has temporarily returned to Japan, conducted a mission debriefing during Sorahaku 2009 (Space Expo) held at the Tokyo International Forum. His fellow crew members of the STS-127 (2J/A) also participated in the session.
The astronauts explained how the Japanese Experiment Module, Kibo, was assembled on-orbit and how life on board the ISS was.
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