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Hello everyone. I am now in the flight deck of the Space Shuttle. Today
I would like to talk about my EVA experience.
Our EVA was replanned to include the capture of the SPARTAN satellite.
From two days before the EVA, Winston Scott and myself discussed and simulated,
at great length, as to how we should capture and berth the satellite.
Just after breakfast of the day of EVA, we started to don our spacesuits.
It was easier to wear the spacesuits in space than on the ground, because
of the weightlessness. It was like slipping into the space suits.
Winston got out of the shuttle first. When I followed him outside, what
I saw first was the great vastness of the space. As I was moving towards
the place I would capture the satellite, I was moved by the magnificent
panorama of the blue Earth. We waited for about 2 hours for the shuttle
to move into the capture range of the satellite. I watched the Earth, and
saw the night and day passing by. When I looked up and saw the gleaming
satellite, I realized that I was a part of this huge drama in space. Winston
and I captured the satellite at the same time when it came within about
30cm from us. In space, things have no weight, but you can still feel the
mass. I felt the mass of the SPARTAN satellite, approximately 2 tons in
weight, when I held it in my hands. But rotating the satellite to its berthing
position was easy. When the satellite was latched into position, I was
overwhelmed with joy. For all of us working on this mission, the ground
people and the crew, this was a great victory.
I brought a message board written in Japanese with me during the EVA. Maybe
some of you have noticed it, but unfortunately I was unable to show you
this while I was outside. So now, here it is. This is my message to you
from space. (Shows placard written "Reach for Space!") Thanks
for your support. |
