Malaysian Samples Handed Over to JAXA, Exposure Experiments on ExHAM starts next spring

On November 2, 2018, Dr. Noramaliza Mohd Noor, a senior lecturer of Universiti Putra Malaysia, handed over samples of the Material Exposure Experiment to JAXA at the Tsukuba Space Center, while the researchers, ground operators and other stakeholders to the experiment were observing the sample inspection. The samples will be prepared for launch to the International Space Station (ISS) early next year.

The sample handover is based on the agreement of Kibo utilization for long-term material exposure experiment using Exposed Experiment Handrail Attachment Mechanism (ExHAM) on Kibo Exposed Facility, along with inner vehicle experiment in Kibo pressurized module using Passive Dosimeter for Life-science Experiments in Space (PADLES). In October 2018, JAXA and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) finalized this agreement.

On November 2, two researchers of UPM hand-carried the samples to the Tsukuba Space Center, then a sample was attached to the ExHAM's mockup.

After all verifications were completed, the director of JAXA, Ms. Shiho Ogawa presented the certificate of acceptance to Dr. Noor. The samples will be shipped to the United States in December 2018 for launch to ISS in February 2019.

During the APRSAF-25 sessions were held in Singapore this year, on November 7, the JAXA President Yamakawa praised the start of Kibo utilization cooperation with Malaysia, among relevant parties of ANGKASA and UPM.

The experiment was proposed by the researchers of UPM to demonstrate utilization of the Smart Optical Fibres for Passive Dosimetry in Space (SOFPADS), which has been organizing under the leadership of the National Space Agency of Malaysia (ANGKASA). The passive dosimeter of optical fibres will be exposed in space under various conditions and stored afterward in the Kibo module with the JAXA Passive Dosimeter for Life-Science Experiments in Space (PADLES) for comparative analysis. After sample return to Earth, Malaysian researchers will verify the usability of the passive dosimeter in space.

JAXA, who acts as only one of the ISS partners in Asian region, expects that the collaboration of Kibo utilization with Malaysia will contribute to development of space technologies in the Asia and promote a mutually beneficial relationship among the Asian space agencies.