JAXA Astronaut Activity Report, January 2010:JAXA Astronaut Activity Report - JAXA´s Astronaut

JAXA Astronaut Activity Report, January 2010

Last Updated: March 18, 2010

This is JAXA's Japanese astronaut primary activity report for January 2010.

Astronaut candidate (ASCAN) training

Astronaut candidates Mr. Yui, Mr. Onishi, and Mr. Kanai continued the astronaut candidate (ASCAN) training in the U.S.

Flight training using a T-38 jet trainer aircraft started this month. At the Ellington Air Force Base near NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC), they first attended lectures on how to fly the T-38, and then they actually took flight lessons using the jet trainer. The ASCANS will repeat the flight lessons using the T-38 trainer as training to acquire essential qualifications as astronauts.

They also participated in lectures and simulation training on the space shuttle at JSC to better understand the importance of the crew's flight operations as well as cooperation among crew members and the ground team.

They also participated in hands-on training on geology in Gila Bend, Arizona.

Astronaut candidates Mr. Yui (left), Mr. Onishi (center), and Mr. Kanai (right) boarding T-38 jet trainer


	"It has been 15 years since I last flew in the T-38 trainer, but I was able to get used to it quite soon. Many modifications have been done, and I felt comfortable operating it. Other than flight training, there are loads of new things I have to learn, which I have been able to enjoy so far by cooperating with my fellow ASCANs."


	"We started T-38 flight training in January. At first I felt some confusion due to the differences from commercial airplanes, but it was only at the start. I enjoyed the training and have gained some first experiences, such as supersonic flight and the loop maneuver. I will focus on enhancing my situation assessment ability and teamwork with a pilot in the front seat. We will start Russian language lessons next month. Our training has become more intense as we have entered 2010. I will continue my efforts, with the three of us working closely together."


	"It was my second flight training, following a flight on a T-6 turbo-prop trainer in October and November last year. As I had been a physician working at a hospital before, flight training is completely new to me, and I have been experiencing difficulty. I am putting my best effort into it, though, and getting advice from the experienced trainers and my fellow trainees, Mr. Yui and Mr. Onishi."

Training for the STS-131 mission

Astronaut Yamazaki reviewing space shuttle's undocking / separation procedures (left)

Astronaut Yamazaki has been training for the STS-131 mission at NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC).

Astronaut Yamazaki, along with other STS-131 mission crew members, used the mockups of the space shuttle and ISS modules to simulate each day of the mission, and reviewed the space shuttle's docking and undocking procedures.

Astronaut Yamazaki during training on SSRMS operation

Astronaut Yamazaki will operate the shuttle's and the station's remote manipulator systems during the STS-131 mission. She and Astronaut Stephanie Wilson simulated the procedure to attach the Multi-Purpose Logistic Module (MPLM) to the station using the station's remote manipulator (Space Station Remote Manipulator System: SSRMS).

ISS expedition operations training

Astronaut Furukawa, reviewing EVA equipment and tools

Expedition 28/29 crew member Astronaut Furukawa continued with training for the expedition mission.

Astronaut Furukawa participated in training sessions on the Soyuz TMA spacecraft at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) in Russia.

Also, at JSC, he learned about ISS systems and how to handle EVA equipment. He participated in training sessions on medical equipment and on exercise machines used on board the ISS, such as the treadmill and cycle ergometer.

Astronaut Wakata visits Thailand

Lecture at the National Science Museum of Thailand

Astronaut Wakata visited Thailand, returning an Official Flight Kit (OFK), which flew aboard the space shuttle, to Princess Sirindhorn.

He also participated in the 16th Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF-16), and made a speech explaining the ISS expedition mission and the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV), which was developed by Japan.

Astronaut Wakata also made lectures at the National Science Museum of Thailand and the Thai Japanese Association School in Bangkok (TJAS). The audience at the TJAS lecture was sixth-grade students who are soon to graduate elementary school. Astronaut Wakata sent a vibrant cheer to them by saying: "If you find your own dreams, please try to think what you need to do in order to realize them, and what would be needed to begin with. Then the dreams will surely come true."