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

JAXA Astronaut Activity Report, July 2010

Last Updated: September 8, 2010

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

Astronaut Furukawa Trains for the ISS Expedition Mission

Astronaut Furukawa, assigned as an International Space Station (ISS) Expedition 28/29 crew member, has been continuing training at NASA’s Johnson Space Center (JSC) for his upcoming mission on board the ISS.

Astronaut Furukawa participated in emergency training alongside NASA Astronaut Michael Fossum and Russian Cosmonaut Sergey Volkov, Furukawa’s crew mates during his mission. They reviewed emergency response procedures for fire, sudden depressurization, and air contamination by toxic gas release. They then simulated cardiopulmonary resuscitation using the AED, as part of the emergency training. In addition, Furukawa learned how to set up the DECLIC, a fluid physics experiment facility developed by CNES, using the ISS mockup facility.

Astronaut Furukawa simulating a fire emergency on board the ISS (Photo Credit: JAXA/NASA)

Furukawa and his fellow Expedition 28/29 mission crew members simulating cardiopulmonary resuscitation (Photo Credit: JAXA/NASA)

Furukawa reviewing the DECLIC setup procedure (Photo Credit: JAXA/NASA)


	“The remaining time before my launch day has become less than a year, and my “turn” is approaching. My background as medical doctor is very handy during medical training and science operation training. During emergency training, I have been able to fulfill my role as an ISS operator and handle various emergency situations through teamwork with my crew mates. I will try my best to achieve mission success so that I can repay the people who have been supporting my training and mission preparations.”

Astronaut Candidate Training

JAXA’s astronaut candidates Yui, Onishi, and Kanai have been continuing the Astronaut Candidate training program.

Their training this month mainly focused on ISS systems and Extravehicular Activity (EVA). They participated in scheduled training sessions following their respective timetables.

Yui participated in EVA training using the pool at the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) at JSC. He learned how to handle the Orbital Replacement Unit (ORU) during EVA. He reviewed the campout procedure, which all spacewalkers have to perform on the night before their spacewalk. Yui also participated in training related to the station’s Thermal Control System (TCS) and Motion Control System.

Astronaut Candidate Onishi (right) reviewing how to use the Pistol Grip Tool (PGT) in the NBL (Photo Credit: JAXA/NASA)

Astronaut Candidate Kanai (center) learning how to equip his foot with the Articulating Portable Foot Restraint (APFR) (Photo Credit: JAXA/NASA)

Onishi participated in training on the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) and EVA tools. He learned how to adjust the EMU and how to use its equipment.

Kanai participated in training on the station’s communications systems and their operation procedures. He also attended a lecture on the EMU overview and participated in emergency response training.

Onishi and Kanai reviewed the ISS configuration using the ISS mockup in the NBL pool in preparation for their upcoming EVA training at the NBL. They reviewed how to move around the ISS during EVA, and learned how to use tethers, foot restraints, and EVA tools.

The three candidates also learned the overview of the Soyuz TMA spacecraft. They reviewed the internal configuration of the Soyuz and the location of onboard equipment using the Soyuz mockup.

They have also been continuing their flight training using a T-38 jet trainer, as well as continuing their foreign language lessons.

In late July, they visited the ESA’s European Astronaut Centre (EAC) at Cologne in Germany to participate in training on the systems and experiments of the Columbus module and on the overview of the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV).

JAXA Symposium 2010

JAXA Symposium (Photo Credit: JAXA)

Astronaut Wakata participated in JAXA Symposium 2010 “Japan’s Space Development Technologies Spreading Out around the World” held at Yurakucho Asahi Hall (Chiyoda, Tokyo) on July 8, 2010.

In a talk session titled “Human Space Exploration in the Next Generation,” Wakata related his experience aboard the ISS and introduced the various experiments he performed using the facilities on board Kibo.

During the session, Wakata remarked on the importance of Japan’s human space technology development, saying: “From a long-term view, development of human space technology is partly hazard management for the continued existence of the human species. Japan should play a leading role in this kind of development activity as a technology-oriented nation.”

Astronaut Noguchi’s Homecoming after the ISS Expedition Mission

Astronaut Noguchi meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan (Photo Credit: JAXA)

Astronaut Noguchi came back to Japan for the first time after his return from space on June 2, 2010.

Noguchi visited related organizations, and participated in media briefings and mission debriefing meetings (technical debriefing sessions).

The 47th JAXA Town Meeting in Sapporo

JAXA Town Meeting (From left: Kaoru Sasaki, Yoshiyuki Hasegawa, Naoko Yamazaki) (Photo Credit: JAXA)

Astronaut Yamazaki participated in the 47th JAXA Town Meeting in Sapporo held at the Sapporo Science Center (Sapporo, Hokkaido) and talked about the STS-131 mission. She discussed the utilization of Kibo and JAXA’s future activities with the people gathered at the Sapporo Science Center.

In the discussion, Yamazaki remarked that development of the technologies used to maintain ISS operations will eventually spawn new technologies that will promote the continuation and advancement of our living on Earth.