[ISS / Japanese Experiment Module (KIBO)] JAXA Astronaut Activity Report, August 2015

JAXA astronauts support the HTV5 mission

On August 19, at 8:50 p.m., the H-II transfer vehicle (HTV) “KOUNOTORI” (white stork) 5 was launched aboard the H-IIB rocket from the Tanegashima Space Center (TNSC).

JAXA astronauts engaged in the HTV5 mission in various ways.

At the launch site, Astronaut Akihiko Hoshide explained the HTV5 mission to the visiting press corps.

On the International Space Station (ISS), Astronaut Kimiya Yui welcomed KOUNOTORI5’s arrival.

On August 24 (Japan time), Yui assumed responsibility for capturing KOUNOTORI5 with the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS). In demonstrating the results of his training, Yui succeeded in the capture of KOUNOTORI5.

Meanwhile, at the NASA Mission Control Room (MCR) in Houston, Astronaut Koichi Wakata was on duty serving as CAPCOM (a communicator with the onboard astronauts) in support of Yui’s duty and other crew for the series of operations involved in KOUNOTORI5’s rendezvous for capture by the SSRMS.

The success of KOUNOTORI capture was the result of collaboration among Yui in orbit, Wakata at NASA, and the HTV Flight Control Team directed by HTV5 Flight Director Mayumi Matsuura in Japan.

The next day after KOUNOTORI’s arrival, Yui opened the hatch between KOUNOTORI and the ISS, and then the crew began transferring cargo to the ISS.

KOUNOTORI5’s cargo included fresh fruits (oranges and lemons), marking the first time that KOUNOTORI had delivered fresh food. Accepting goods that cannot be kept for a long time is one of the features of KOUNOTORI. The so-called “late access” service of loading last-minute cargo and taking them first flexibly answers such urgent requests as changing the content of cargo and experiment samples that require high-quality retention.

HTV5 mission

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

Astronaut Takuya Onishi, a crew member for the ISS Expedition 48/49 mission, underwent training at Russia’s Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) in early August, followed in the latter half of the month by training at the NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC).

In Russia, flight simulation training aboard the Soyuz spacecraft was conducted at the GCTC.

By using a simulator, Onishi and his crewmates practiced a series of crew operations from launch to docking with the ISS, and then undocking from the ISS and returning to Earth.

By repeating simulations, they enhanced their techniques for flying safely while responding to possible anomalies. Using the Soyuz simulator, Onishi practiced how to deal with hardware failure and air leaks, and also performed manual operations.

At the GCTC, Onishi experienced the hypergravity condition generated by a huge centrifuge accelerator, which he would experience during the launch and descent of the Soyuz spacecraft. Specifically, he experienced acceleration of 4G – 8G and learned the proper respiratory strategy to prevent a loss of consciousness while under the accelerated condition.

Aside from training, Onishi had an opportunity to visit RSC Energia, the Soyuz spacecraft developer, and was able check out the actual spacecraft he would be aboard. He also visited NPP Zvezda, the manufacturer of Sokol spacesuits, to check the functions of his custom-made spacesuit.

He also visited a facility equipped with the depressurization function where he practiced opening and closing hatches to identify any air-leaking points in the ISS Russian segment in an actual depressurized environment.

At the JSC, Onishi underwent training for Extravehicular Activity (EVA) to simulate maintenance operations for exposed equipment installed on the exterior of the ISS. Onishi also trained on how to obtain his own medical data for onboard medical experiments, and practiced hardware operations to be used for experiments.

Astronaut Norishige Kanai holds a press conference following his assignment to an ISS long-duration mission

On August 26 (Japan time), JAXA announced that they had assigned Astronaut Norishige Kanai as a member of a future ISS long-duration mission.

Kanai will commence his stay on the ISS for about six months from around November 2017 as a flight engineer of Expedition 54/55.

Following the assignment, Kanai held a press conference at the JAXA Tokyo Office on August 27.

During the press conference, Kanai mentioned that new experiments were ongoing on Kibo, such as micro satellite (CubeSat) deployment that had not been intended at Kibo’s development stage. Talking about his enthusiasm for the mission, Kanai said, “I imagine many interesting or breakthrough experiments will be conducted in 2017. I will do my best until then.”

Astronaut Kimiya Yui receives a VIP call

On the night of August 26 (Japan time), Astronaut Kimiya Yui and NASA Astronauts Scott Kelly and Kjell Lindgren communicated with the ground for 20 minutes, and spoke with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in an event called “VIP call.” Abe was joined by Hirofumi Shimomura, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Shunichi Yamaguchi, Minister of State for Special Missions, and high school students in Tokyo.

Astronaut Satoshi Furukawa moderated the communication event. In addition, Mamoru Mohri, a former JAXA astronaut and current director of the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (MeSci), and Astronaut Norishige Kanai also participated in the event.

Prime Minister Abe congratulated the successful berthing of KOUNOTORI5 and said that he believes that Japanese space technology has become more reliable. And he also believes that many Japanese are proud of the fact that all of the main tasks involved Japanese personnel.

In reply, Yui thanked Prime Minister Abe saying “Space development is quite difficult, but I’m glad that Japan took an important role and coordinated internationally to achieve success.”

During the event, Prime Minister Abe announced that Astronaut Kanai had been assigned as a crew member for the ISS Expedition 54/55.

Kanai stated, “Human space development resembles a road running relay. Astronaut Mohri wore a sash and began running as the first runner. In two years I will wear the sash, which is now worn by Astronaut Yui onboard the ISS. I will do my best so as to pass down it to younger generations.”