JAXA Astronaut Activity Report, October 2010
Last Updated: December 14, 2010
This is JAXA's Japanese astronaut primary activity report for October 2010.
Astronaut Candidate Training
Astronaut candidates Yui, Onishi, and Kanai continued their Astronaut Candidate (ASCAN) training at NASA’s Johnson Space Center (JSC). Their training this month focused on the ISS systems, flight training using a T-38 jet trainer, and language lessons.
In late October, they visited the Tsukuba Space Center (TKSC) in Japan with the other astronaut candidates as part of their on-site facility orientation.
At TKSC, they received a lecture on the Japanese Experiment Module, Kibo, and the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV), KOUNOTORI. They learned more about the Kibo systems and science experiments on board Kibo, as well as the structural configuration of KOUNOTORI.
In addition to the lecture, they participated in hands-on training using the JEMRMS simulator to simulate remotely exchanging payloads on Kibo’s External Facility (EF). They also learned how to transfer small EF payloads from Kibo’s Pressurized Module (PM) to the EF through the Kibo Airlock.
During facility orientation, the astronaut candidates were provided with an overview of JAXA’s current programs and activity schedules, since most of them, except for Yui, Onishi, and Kanai, were totally new to the activities at TKSC. They asked many questions on the prospect of JAXA’s future human spaceflight activities and the HTV with return capability (HTV-R). Then, the astronaut candidates looked around the Mission Control Room (MCR) where the JAXA Fight Control Team (JFCT) monitors Kibo operations, the Weightless Environment Test Building (WET), a pool 16 meters in diameter and 10 meters deep where Kibo-related Extravehicular Activity (EVA) procedures are planned and Kibo-related EVA training can be conducted, and finally, a confined/isolated habitat adaptation training facility, which was used for the selection of Japanese astronaut candidates.
Astronaut Candidate Yui reviewing locations of Kibo onboard equipment in the Kibo mockup (Photo Credit: JAXA)
Astronaut Candidate Onishi practicing operation of Kibo’s robotic arm using the JEMRMS simulator (Photo Credit: JAXA)
Astronaut Candidate Kanai reviewing operation procedures of the Kibo Airlock using an airlock trainer (Photo Credit: JAXA)
ISS Expedition Mission Training at ESA
Astronaut Furukawa reviewing procedures to operate a European science rack (Photo Credit: JAXA/ESA)
Astronaut Furukawa, assigned as an ISS Expedition 28/29 crew member, visited ESA’s European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Cologne, Germany. At the EAC, he participated in training on the Columbus laboratory and the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV).
During a training session on science operations on board Columbus, he learned how to exchange experiment containers of the Fluid Science Laboratory (FSL) and studied the system overview and operation procedures of the European Drawer Rack (EDR), which is designed to accommodate various science experiments. He also participated in a training session of the GeoFlow experiment, which simulates thermal flow of the Earth’s fluid core.
During the ATV training, Furukawa reviewed procedures to respond to emergency situations on board the ATV, learned ATV cargo transfer operations, and simulated other ATV-related operations using the ATV mockup.
In addition, he practiced how to use the Erasmus Recording Binocular 2, a high-definition 3D video camera system that the ESA has developed to prepare a detailed interior drawing of the station.
ISS Expedition Operations Training in Russia
Training on fire detection and the suppression system in the Zvezda simulator (Photo Credit: JAXA/GCTC)
Astronaut Hoshide, assigned as an ISS Expedition 32/33 crew member, participated in training sessions on the Russian ISS modules and the Soyuz TMA spacecraft at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) to prepare for his long-duration mission on board the station.
In the training session on the Russian modules, Hoshide learned the system design and structural configurations of the Zvezda service module through lectures and simulations. He also learned the Russian ISS systems, such as the data management system that controls the entire Russian segment, the life support system that provides a habitable environment for ISS crew, the thermal control system, and the electrical power system.
The 23rd Association of Space Explorers (ASE) Planetary Congress
Astronauts Mukai and Noguchi attended the 23rd Association of Space Explorers (ASE) Planetary Congress held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on October 5-10, 2010.
The 23rd ASE Planetary Congress was organized under the theme: “1 Planet, 1 Hope, 1 Future,” and 58 astronauts from 18 countries participated in the congress. In the thematic session that consisted of several panel discussions, Astronaut Mukai joined a panel discussion titled “Human Spaceflight as a Path to Establish Global Identity” as a panelist and chaired a panel discussion titled “Impact of Natural and Human-Caused Changes on Human Welfare.” Results of the panel discussions were summarized in a report titled “Resolution of the XXIII ASE Planetary Congress, Kuala Lumpur 2010.”
- Resolution of the XXIII ASE Planetary Congress, Kuala Lumpur 2010
Astronaut Noguchi receiving the Best Technical Presentation Award 2010 (Photo Credit: JAXA)
Meanwhile, Astronaut Noguchi made a report on JAXA’s activities from 2009 through 2010, focusing on Kibo and KOUNOTORI operations. He also made a presentation on the prospects of Japan’s future human spaceflight development. It was highly acclaimed by many participants of the congress, and Noguchi became the first Japanese to receive “the Best Presentation Award.” Additionally, Noguchi was appointed a permanent ASE council member and given a member badge at the award ceremony held during the congress.
TKSC Special Open House Event, “Space Day 2010”
Astronaut Furukawa delivering a talk through the videoconference system (Photo Credit: JAXA)
JAXA held an open house event at Tsukuba Space Center on October 16 to commemorate “Space Day.” During the event, Astronaut Furukawa delivered a special video lecture titled “Toward Expedition Mission On board the ISS” from Houston.
Furukawa talked about various ISS activities and gave an overview of the Soyuz TMA spacecraft operations, which he will perform while traveling to/from the ISS. He discussed science experiments he will perform during his mission aboard the ISS, mentioning the pre-flight training he and his crewmates have been undergoing in preparation for the mission.
Furukawa also talked about crew health management, health support, and medical operations on board the ISS. He said that he will provide medical assistance when his crewmates get injured or become ill during the mission and mentioned the pre-flight medical training in which he and his crewmates have participated.
During a question-and-answer session following the lecture, Furukawa answered various questions from the audience, such as, “What effects does a long-duration spaceflight have on the human body?” and “What is the difference between a space-grown plant and a ground-grown plant?”
Official Flight Kit (OFK) Return Ceremony
Official Flight Kit (OFK) Return Ceremony at VAST (Photo Credit: JAXA)
Astronaut Noguchi visited the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) to return a space flown flag, one of the Official Flight Kits (OFKs) provided by VAST. The flag, which is emblazoned with the national flags of Vietnam and Japan and the organization logos of JAXA and VAST, flew aboard the ISS while Noguchi stayed on the station.
He also visited the Vietnam National University in Hanoi to give a lecture on the ISS expedition mission for students at the Department of Aerospace Technology, where he met many students who learn Japanese at the Department of Japanese Language.
