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ISS/Kibo Times

The ISS/Kibo Times - Summer issue 2020 -

The ISS / Kibo Times will be issued quarterly to introduce Japan's activities on the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo", the International Space Station (ISS), and the activities of JAXA Astronauts.

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- CONTENTS -
1. ISS/Kibo Topics
2. JAXA Astronauts Activities
3. Recommended Photos

1. ISS/Kibo Topics

A World's First Successful Demonstrative Mission of On-orbit Wireless LAN Communication and Transmission of Monitored Docking Images! (July 3, 2020)

On May 25, 2020, videos taken by the camera installed on the H-II Transfer Vehicle "KOUNOTORI9" (HTV9) were successfully transferred to the ISS using wireless LAN (WLAN) in the vehicle's upward approaching phase for capture. This is the world's first successful image transmission using WLAN between two spacecraft in space.

National Space Organization, the Taiwan Space Agency has joined Kibo-ABC initiative! (July 13, 2020)

The Taiwan Space Agency, the National Space Organization (NSPO), joined the Kibo-ABC initiative on March 16th 2020.

Kibo-RPC News: JAXA Conducts Process Checkout of 1st Kibo-RPC (July 20, 2020)

JAXA conducted Process Checkout of Kibo-PRC on May 21, 2020 in collaboration with NASA's Astrobee team.

The International Space Station is refreshed with Japanese lithium-ion batteries cells transported by H-II Transfer Vehicles "KOUNOTORI" (HTV) (August 11, 2020)

NASA astronauts Christopher J. Cassidy and Robert Behnken replaced the batteries on the S6 truss during their 6 hours of Extravehicular Activity (EVA) on July 17, 2020. This EVA was the eleventh and final work of the battery replacement mission started in January 2017. The 48 nickel-hydrogen batteries have been replaced with 24 new batteries based on Japanese lithium-ion batteries cells. The International Space Station (ISS), refreshed with the Japanese technologies such as "KOUNOTORI" and Japanese lithium-ion batteries cells, is getting ready for supporting further experiments under the space environment.

[Press Release]Successful re-entry of H-II Transfer Vehicle "KOUNOTORI9" (HTV9) (August 20, 2020)

H-II Transfer Vehicle "KOUNOTORI9" (HTV9) successfully re-entered the atmosphere after the third de-orbit maneuver at 3:40 p.m. on August 20, 2020 (Japanese Standard Time, JST). The "KOUNOTORI9" has successfully accomplished its main objective to ship cargo to the International Space Station (ISS).

The significance of growing herbs in space (August 26, 2020)

Let's grow herbs in space Have you ever heard the word herb? Herbs are edible plants. In fact, herbs are plants that can be used as medicines. Let's give an example: Basil, Coriander, Arugula, Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, Thyme, etc.

Scent of herbs (August 26, 2020)

Because plants cannot move, they make a lot of substances to protect themselves. Plants make substances such as poisons that cannot be eaten by animals, antibacterial substances that prevent mold and viruses, ingredients that prevent other plants from growing nearby, and scents that attract pollinating insects and animals that carry seeds. However, the fragrance substances and methods that protect themselves vary from plant to plant. There are many things we don't know why plants make scents.

How to grow Sweet Basil(August 28, 2020)

In the AHiS space experiment, sweet basil is grown in space and on the ground, and the differences in growth and aroma are examined. Here, we will do some additional experiments using sweet basil.

Let's experiment with Herb‼(August 28, 2020)

AHiS News: Australian Ambassador gives JAXA seeds to be sent into space! (September 1, 2020)

On August 27, 2020, Australian Ambassador H.E. Mr Richard Court AC handed over Golden Wattle seeds to JAXA Vice President Mr Hiroshi SASAKI at the Australian Embassy Tokyo. The Golden Wattle seeds will be launched to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the "Asian Herb in Space" project this autumn. JAXA will prepare for the launch with the participating space agencies in the Asia-Pacific region.

Asian Herb in Space (The third project of the Space Seeds for Asian Future)(Last Updated: September 4, 2020)

Asian Herb in Space (AHiS) is an activity of the Asian Beneficial Collaboration through Kibo Utilization initiative (Kibo-ABC) under the Space Environment Utilization Working Group (SEUWG) of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF). AHiS is the third project of the Space Seeds for Asian Future program (SSAF).

2. JAXA Astronauts Activities

JAXA Astronaut Soichi Noguchi
JAXA astronaut, Noguchi Soichi, currently preparing and training for the ISS Expedition, starts training to board the first operational Crew Dragon under development by Space-X.

• Web site of the Mission is opened. (only in Japanese, September 12, 2020)

• NASA to Host Preview Briefings, Interviews for First Crew Rotation Mission with SpaceX (September 18, 2020)

Please visit his Twitter:

Astronaut Noguchi's Twitter:

JAXA Astronaut Akihiko Hoshide
JAXA astronaut, HOSHIDE Akihiko, currently preparing and training for the ISS Expedition, has been decided to board the second operational Crew Dragon developed by Space-X. The launch is scheduled for spring 2021. This is his third Space flight, and in addition, he has been assigned as the second Japanese astronaut to be the ISS commander, following Astronaut WAKATA Koichi. The flight schedule will be announced when more details are available.

• Announcement of the Space Vehicle for JAXA Astronaut Hoshide Akihiko's International Space Station (ISS) Expedition (July 28, 2020)

Please visit his Twitter:

Astronaut Hoshide's Twitter:

3. Recommended Videos

We introduce hot Videos from the JAXA Digital Archives.

• KOUNOTORI9 Mission Digest

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Next issue will be around the December, 2020.

Publisher: Human Spaceflight Technology Directorate, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

*All times are Japan Standard Time