JAXA Astronaut Activity Report

Astronaut Kimiya Yui continues training for his upcoming long-duration ISS mission

Astronaut Kimiya Yui, who was assigned as a crew member for the Expedition 44/45 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), underwent training at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) until March 6, and at the NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) from March 9.

In Russia, a flight simulation operation was conducted aboard the Soyuz spacecraft. Using a simulator, Yui practiced a series of operations ranging from rendezvous, approach, and docking with the ISS, followed by atmospheric reentry operations after undocking from the ISS. He also had his custom-made Sokol space suit (to be worn during a flight) checked for a proper fit, as well as the custom-made seat liner of the Soyuz spacecraft.

Using the Virtual Reality (VR) system, Yui (left) and Lindgren (right) practice outboard hardware handling (Photo courtesy of JAXA/NASA/James Blair)

At the JSC, training was held on overall ISS operations. During simulation training, Yui, along with Cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko and Astronaut Kjell Lindgren, confirmed how to respond to fire on the ISS. He also went through daily operations conducted on the ISS according to a predetermined schedule. Other training included the handling of hardware installed on the exterior of the ISS using a Virtual Reality (VR) system.

Medical-related training included confirming the procedure of routine medical checkups performed on the ISS, and Yui obtained his pre-flight data for medical research themes.

As this training at the JSC was the last opportunity for Yui to train in the U.S., part of the training was unveiled to the Japanese media where Yui and Lindgren practiced the procedure of capturing H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) KOUNOTORI by using a simulator of the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS). For this presentation, Astronaut Norishige Kanai accompanied the media and offered insight into Yui's training.

After presentation of the training, a press conference was held connecting the JAXA Houston office and its Tokyo office where Yui expressed aspirations for his long-duration mission.

With Yui's support, Lindgren (forefront) manipulating the SSRMS simulator (Photo courtesy of JAXA)

Kanai explaining the contents of the training in front of the simulation monitor (Photo courtesy of JAXA)

Yui speaks to the press at the JAXA Houston office (Photo courtesy of JAXA)

Astronaut Takuya Onishi continues training for the ISS long-duration stay

Onishi practices the procedure of ARED maintenance

Emergency response simulation in the Russian segment

Onishi (back) and Ivanishin (forefront) train in the Soyuz spacecraft simulator

(Photos courtesy of Takuya Onishi (Google+))

Astronaut Takuya Onishi, who was assigned as a crew member for the Expedition 48/49 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), underwent training for his long-duration mission at the NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) during the first half of March.

During the SSRMS training, Onishi practiced SSRMS operations to support the EVA crew and capture unmanned supply vehicles such as KOUNOTORI.

EVA training included confirming the functions and structure of the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU), and the system settings (e.g. Life Support System (LSS)) depending on the situation.

Training was also given on the operating procedure of the Spaceflight Cognitive Assessment Tool for Windows (WinSCAT). WinSCAT is an assessment tool used periodically by astronauts aboard the ISS to analyze their cognitive ability during spaceflight.

Other training covered microbe sampling operations, emergency medical care, and maintenance on the Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED).

During the second half of March, Onishi underwent training for the ISS Russian segment and the Soyuz spacecraft at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) in Russia.

In the Russian segment, Onishi practiced how to respond to such emergencies as fire, sudden depressurization, and toxic spills. As part of the training, he also confirmed the locations of hatches in the Russian segment and how to close the hatches. Other training included a lecture on safety in the Russian modules.

As for the Soyuz spacecraft, Onishi used a simulator to practice a series of operations from launch preparation to ISS docking and landing on earth.

The training focused on responding to such irregularities as computer failure and sudden depressurization.

Astronauts Noguchi and Onishi participate in a commemorative event celebrating 50 years of EVA

Astronauts Soichi Noguchi and Takuya Onishi attended an official event sponsored by the Association of Space Explorers (ASE) held in Moscow, Russia.

This event was held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the world's first EVA in space by former Soviet Cosmonaut Alexey Leonov.

In Russia, Leonov's EVA in 1965 marks a monumental event, along with Yuri Gagarin's first manned flight into space and Valentina Tereshkova's first space flight by a woman.