Last month (in May), two major events took place, namely Astronaut Wakata's homecoming, and the launch of the Advanced Land Observing Satellite-2 "DAICHI-2" (ALOS-2) by the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 24 (H-IIA F24). I am very happy that both of them were successfully completed.
Astronaut Wakata, who returned to the Earth on May 14, held a news conference the other day for the first time after coming home from space, and he proved himself doing very well. His rehabilitation is going smoothly, and he will conduct a technical debriefing with pertinent personnel by evaluating his long-term stay at the International Space Station (ISS) to make the most of his experience for the future. I hope that JAXA can utilize the skill and knowhow that we can learn from Astronaut Wakata for the next step to be ready for Astronaut Yui's long-term stay slated for next year. At the same time, we hope that Astronaut Wakata's experience will lead to the assignment of a second and third Japanese ISS captain.
Astronaut Wakata, who is under rehabilitation at the NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC), will temporarily come to Japan in August.

The DAICHI-2 was launched by H-IIA F24 from the Tanegashima Space Center on May 24, 2014. The satellite is scheduled to acquire its first images in late June, about one and half months after its launch. The images will be calibrated and verified to be offered to the public in about six months.
The H-IIA F24 also launched four small secondary satellites by utilizing its excess launch capacity. All four are functioning well.

As an achievement of the JAXA Open Laboratory Public Tender system, through which JAXA performs research in cooperation with a private company, a cooling vest (underwear) using technology from the "Study for Next Generation Advanced Space Suit" was produced for commercial sales by Nippon Uniform Center, and it is now on sale as a JAXA COSMODE brand product.
The Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Nippon Uniform Center, JAXA's partner of this collaborative study, is in charge of the planning and development, and TEIKOKU SEN-I Co., LTD. is selling the product. We heard that they have already received some inquiries.
JAXA would like to actively engage in connecting space development technology to people's lives through the New Enterprise Promotion Center as a contact point.

Astronaut Hoside will take part in the 18th NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO) for nine days from July 21, 2014. This training simulates the conditions of a mission in space in the laboratory at the bottom of the ocean to enhance teamwork which is imperative for manned space flight.
Astronaut Hoshide is assigned as the commander for the NEEMO this time to instruct and manage the team of three astronauts from different countries. We expect that he will gain valuable experience from this nine-day training program and incorporate this knowledge into his future activities as an astronaut.

JAXA decided to begin preparations to perform the second test of the second phase of the "Drop test for Simplified Evaluation of Non-symmetrically Distributed sonic boom" (D-SEND #2) on July 22, 2014.
The first drop test was held on Aug. 16, 2013 (Sweden Standard Time), but the test aircraft deviated from its scheduled flight path after its separation from a balloon about 12 km short of the targeted boom measurement site. Thus a sonic boom under the expected flight conditions was not measured.
As a result, JAXA set up an investigation/countermeasure team to specify the cause by inviting outside experts for advice. The team clarified the cause (the report was released on Feb. 25, 2014) and, since then, JAXA has been studying countermeasures. We are now ready to prepare for the second drop test again. We will carefully carry out preparations while bracing ourselves for a successful test.

JAXA is looking for a site that can host Astronaut Wakata's mission report meeting. The following are the requirements.

- Schedule: A Saturday or Sunday in August and in the fall of 2014.
  (The fall meeting may be cancelled.)
- Area: Within Japan except Tokyo. The site must be able to host more than 500 people.
  (JAXA will separately host a mission report in Tokyo, thus the capital city is excluded.)
- Deadline: 5 O'clock on June 25 (Wed.) 2014. Please apply by filling in the application form. For more details, please refer to the following website.