Astronaut Takao Doi's Profile

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Takao Doi is a member of the Astronaut Office, Space Utilization Promotion Department,
Office of Space Utilization Systems, National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA).
Dr. Doi was born on 1954 in Minamitama-gun, Tokyo.

He received a bachelor of science degree in Aeronautics from Tokyo University in 1978, a masters of engineering degree in 1980 and a doctorate in aerospace engineering in 1983. From 1983 to 1985, he studied space propulsion systems as a research student at the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), and also worked for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Lewis Research Center as a National Research Council research associate.

In November 1985, Dr. Doi joined the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) as one of the three Payload Specialist (PS) candidates for the First Material Processing Test (FMPT ). He conducted research on microgravity fluid dynamics as a visiting scientist at the University of Colorado from1987 to 1988, and at the National Aerospace Laboratory in 1989. >From 1990 to 1992, he participated in the NASA payload specialist training is preparation for the FMPT mission. In September 1992, he served as a backup payload specialist for FMPT (STS-47) . After returning to Japan, he conducted research in the field of fluid mechanics for the JEM (Japanese Experiment Module) program. He worked as a co-investigator on a fluid mechanics experiment on the Second International Microgaravity Laboratory 2 mission (IML-2) which was launched on STS-65 in 1994.

Dr. Doi reported to Johnson Space Center in March 1995 to join the 1995 NASA Astronaut Candidate training program. After approximately a year of training and evaluation, he was qualified as a mission specialist.

In November 1996, he was assigned to STS-87 scheduled for launch in October 1997. In this mission, he will be the first Japanese astronaut to conduct a spacewalk.

Training for Mission Assignment as a NASA Mission Specialist (MS)

In March 1995, Astronaut Takao Doi joined NASA's ASCAN (Astronaut Candidate) training course held at Johnson Space Center and completed the course in May 1996, qualifying as MS.The duties of MS are different from those of Payload Specialist (PS) in that a MS is not only capable of conducting various experiments, he can also manuver the space shuttle, and conduct EVA.
The ASCAN training program at Johnson Space Center includes "familiarization" training (such as orientation to NASA facilities, lecture on space science and space medical science,): adaptation to the microgravity environment; training for flying T-38 jet planes (adaptation to low-pressure environments, ejection in emergency, parasailing, survival techniques, etc.), and training on space shuttle systems.

After completion of ASCAN training, Astronaut Doi, as a qualified MS continued to take part in advanced training programs at Johnson Space Center for further familiarization of the sub-systems of the Space Shuttle

(1)	EVA Training
	The basic training Astronaut Doi received includes lectures on the makeup of an EVA suit with its tools/devices, and procedures for the operation of systems inside the air lock. Astronaut Doi also conducted training in a large pool to simulate microgravity environment where he received and EVA training for egress to the shuttle's cargo bay and trouble shooting procedures for various situations.
(2)	Lectures on ISS
	The basic level training associated with the construction of the ISS included lectures on the over all concept and system configuration.
(3)	Russian Language
	Intensive training in Russian was given in anticipation for international collaboration in the assembly and operation of the ISS.

Astronaut Doi's mission-specific training started in November 1996 when he was named as a crew member for STS-87.

T-38 jet training

survival training

emergency training

Last Updated : October 23, 1997