JAXA Astronaut Activity Report

Astronaut Candidate Training

Astronaut candidates Yui, Onishi, and Kanai continue their Astronaut Candidate Training at NASA’s Johnson Space Center (JSC) and other training sites in the U.S.

Yui’s training this month focused mainly on flight training using a T-38 jet trainer and language lessons. He also participated in training sessions to simulate crew operations aboard the International Space Station (ISS), reviewing both nominal operations and contingency operations for possible off-nominal situations.

Onishi’s training this month centered on Extravehicular Activity (EVA) training using the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) pool. Donning an Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) suit, he simulated several EVA activities at the NBL .

Kanai’s training this month focused on ISS systems. He learned how the temperature, air pressure, and air composition on board the ISS modules are controlled. He also learned about the station’s thermal control systems, which facilitate removal of excess heat emitted from the working equipment in the ISS. In a session on the station’s living quarters, he learned how to use a food warmer and the toilets on the ISS. In emergency training, he simulated emergency procedures for fire, sudden depressurization, and air contamination on board the ISS modules, and learned the theories behind the emergency procedures.

Astronaut Furukawa Takes Final Examinations for Expedition 26/27 as Backup Crew

Backup crew members for ISS Expedition 26/27 (from left: Michael Fossum, Anatoly Ivanishin, Satoshi Furukawa) in front of the Soyuz TMA-20 spacecraft. (Photo Credit: FSA)

Astronaut Furukawa, assigned as an ISS Expedition 28/29 crew member, as well as a backup crew member of Expedition 26/27, participated in final examination sessions for the Expedition 26/27 crew, which was held at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) prior to the launch of the Soyuz TMA-20 (25S Mission).

In the two-day final examination, the 25S mission crew and their backup crew separately took examinations on the Soyuz TMA spacecraft and the Russian segment of the ISS. The backup crew, including Furukawa, took the examination on the Soyuz TMA spacecraft on the first day and on the Russian segment on the second day.

The examinations were conducted using the mockup simulators. During the examination on the Russian segment of the ISS, Furukawa simulated procedures to handle a failure of the Electron (Oxygen Generator) and a sudden depressurization in the Russian modules. He also simulated procedures to repair the station’s toilet and Russian communications systems. During the examination on the Soyuz TMA spacecraft, Furukawa simulated procedures to handle system failures. The 25S mission crew and the backup crew passed the final examinations.

Astronaut Wakata at Official Flight Kit (OFK) Return Event

OFK Return Event at Urawa High School (Photo Credit: JAXA)

Astronaut Wakata and representatives of Beijing Foreign Studies University showing a memorial plate (Photo Credit: JAXA)

Astronaut Wakata visited his old school, Urawa High School, to return a flag provided by the school as an Official Flight Kit (OFK). The flag, emblazoned with a school motto “尚文昌武” (meaning “Have Respect for Academic Studies and Train Hard for Martial Arts”), was flown aboard the ISS while Wakata stayed on orbit.

At Urawa High School, Wakata gave a lecture titled “My Participation in the ISS Expedition Mission” while showing pictures and video. Wakata talked about life aboard the ISS, focusing on the science operations and daily activities. Furthermore, he introduced some achievements of the ISS operations and science experiment. Wakata gave the same lecture at Urawa Daiichi Girls’ High School.

Wakata also visited Beijing Foreign Studies University in Beijing, China, to return a school emblem badge, which was flown in space as an OFK. At the university, Wakata gave a lecture on the ISS expedition mission.

Astronaut Yamazaki Gives a Presentation at the 54th Symposium on Space Science and Technology

Astronaut Yamazaki (right) talking with Kazuko Fukazawa (left) (Photo Credit: JAXA)

Astronaut Yamazaki gave a special guest presentation titled “Message from Space” during the 54th Symposium on Space Science and Technology, held at the Shizuoka Convention & Arts Center "GRANSHIP." She discussed her ideas for activities in future space development based on her experiences aboard the space shuttle and ISS during the STS-131 mission.

A talk session with Ms. Kazuko Fukazawa, the director of the GEIJYUTSUZA Ballet Studio, was held after Yamazaki’s presentation. Ms. Fukazawa gave a presentation, titled “A Ballerina Soaring in Space.” The audience at the hall was excited to hear a topic combining space and the arts.

Astronaut Yamazaki Makes a Presentation at the 17th Session of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF-17)

In late November, Yamazaki participated in the 17th Session of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF-17) and made a presentation during the Space Education and Awareness Working Group (SEAWG). In the presentation, she talked about the mission tasks during the STS-131 mission.