Since the monthly regular press conference last month, there have been many topics related to aerospace. In the launch of the H3 Launch Vehicle Test Flight No.2, we were able to complete the objectives of the flight demonstration and the separation of small secondary payloads. The Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) survived the first lunar night and was able to conduct the operations, even though it was not designed to survive the deep cold of lunar night. “ADRAS-J,” the commercial debris inspection demonstration satellite of Astroscale Holdings Inc., was also launched, and we received a report that satellite operations are currently going well. JAXA, in cooperation with Astroscale, is preparing for the implementation of CRD2 Phase I, a JAXA mission using the ADRAS-J satellite.

I would like to introduce one more very honorable topic.
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) conferred the title of Honorary Fellow on KUNINAKA Hitoshi, Director General, Institute of Space and Astronautical Science. AIAA is the world's largest aerospace technical society. The Honorary Fellow conferred this time is the highest level of the AIAA title, which has been conferred on 238 individuals over the past 91 years. The title was first conferred in 1932 on Mr. Orville Wright, younger brother of the Wright brothers. There is the only one Japanese, Dr. TANI Itiro, who was conferred the title in 1988 for his significant contribution to fluid mechanics and aerodynamics in Japan.

The execution of these projects and research activities are based not only on individual efforts, but also on mutual cooperation within the team and the support of many people both inside and outside JAXA. We will continue our efforts without forgetting our gratitude to everyone involved.

X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) has been in its commissioning period since its launch in September last year, and as announced in the press release issued on March 4, XRISM has transitioned to the nominal phase.
In the nominal phase, XRISM will conduct an initial calibration and performance verification operation to understand the individual characteristics of its onboard instruments and improve observation accuracy. From around August onward, XRISM will start astronomical observations based on proposals from global researchers.
In its operations to date, XRISM has achieved excellent instrument performance in orbit, including spectral performance that exceeds the initial target. We will continue to operate XRISM steadily to obtain scientific results.

During the long-duration mission this time, Astronaut FURUKAWA has been working on the mission under his mission theme of, "Seeking Solutions Only Available from Space.” Astronaut FURUKAWA has carried out the mission in cooperation with astronauts from various countries and ground staff, focusing on various experiments utilizing the microgravity environment, technology demonstrations for future international space exploration, and promotion of industry participation.

I would like to introduce some of the major experiments and activities that Astronaut FURUKAWA worked on.
The first is "Elucidation of gravisensing mechanism in single cells," an experiment aimed at elucidating the gravity sensing mechanism at the cellular level. In this experiment, Astronaut FURUKAWA set up cell culture equipment, etc., performed culture-medium exchange during the experiment, and made observations using a live imaging system that enables observation of the three-dimensional structure of cells and tissues while they are still alive. Experimental samples have already been recovered on the ground and are being analyzed.
The second is research and development of a “next-generation water recovery demonstration system” for international space exploration. The on-orbit technological demonstration has been conducted since 2019, and the last sample was collected in September 2023, completing the on-orbit demonstration.
In addition, Astronaut FURUKAWA set up experimental equipment for an "experiment in evaluating solid material flammability" to scientifically pursue space fire safety, and demonstrated an onboard drone robot (Int-Ball2) in cooperation with ground staff.

In addition, Astronaut FURUKAWA conducted selected experiments in the Asian Try Zero-G and “Kibo” Robot Programming Challenge, which are public relations and educational activities targeting the Asia-Pacific region, etc., and prepared for and managed on-orbit competitions in cooperation with ground staff. The event was broadcasted live on the Internet and other media, and was viewed not only by students from the countries and regions who proposed the experiments, but also by people around the world.

Astronaut FURUKAWA, who was on his second ISS long-duration mission, successfully fulfilled his important responsibilities while also utilizing his own background. I expect that Astronaut FURUKAWA will continue to contribute to the expansion of low Earth orbit utilization such as the ISS and Kibo and the promotion of international space exploration.
As the return of Astronaut FURUKAWA and Crew-7 is just around the corner, I hope that all of you will join us in watching over their safe return.

In order to ensure the independence of Japan's future space transportation system and to create and acquire new space transportation markets, JAXA has been conducting the "Innovative Space Transportation Programs” since 2021 with the aim of realizing a future space transportation system using innovative technologies, including drastic cost reduction, etc. and pioneering independent business development by Japanese private business operators.
JAXA is running the programs through a co-creation system based on open innovation, which is not restricted to the space field, but aims to encourage the entry of businesses and industries that have had no connection to the space field, and to utilize the results of the co-creation in various fields.

The third call for the Request for Proposal was made from November 1 to December 6 last year. “Realization of high frequency reusable flight type space transportation system” is set as the theme and five proposals were adopted based on the theme, which is the characteristic of the latest call. In setting the theme, we first held discussions with space transportation system operators to identify technical issues necessary for its realization. Among the themes for research, for example, "Research on the design and manufacturing of lightweight landing gear for horizontal landing space transportation systems” and "Conceptual research on air data acquisition sensor for the construction of an attitude estimation system during atmospheric flight" were identified. As a result of the overall public call, we received 21 applications and adopted 12 proposals. Please refer to the JAXA website for details.

In the first call for RFP in 2021, the selection was carried out, focusing on the theme of feasibility study on new element technologies for applicability to reusable launch vehicles. In the second call for RFP in 2022, the selection was carried out, focusing on the theme of replacing existing element technologies with new low-cost, high-performance technologies. The recent example of research results from the joint research with Shimizu Corporation "Metal Additive Manufacturing for Propellant Tanks of Future Launch Vehicles,” which was selected in the second call for RFP. This research aims to drastically reduce the cost of the rocket structure for the next-generation core launch vehicle and new space transportation systems led by the private sector. Since the evaluations and technical studies conducted to date, including partial element prototypes, have confirmed the basic feasibility of the additive manufacturing technology, we have decided to move on to the next step, including the prototype study of sub-scale test piece, with a view to future application to large tanks. Refer to the press release dated January 10 for details.

It will soon be three years since we started the programs. We will further promote the use of the programs and continue to support the establishment of new cooperative framework among private companies, while working to implement the results of the programs in society.

The impact of special weather conditions such as snow, ice, lightning, and volcanic ash on aircraft operations has become a particular problem in Japan, causing aircraft accidents and flight delays.
The Aviation Technology Directorate has long been engaged in the research and development of WEATHER-Endurance Aircraft Technology to Hold, Evade and Recover by Eye technology (WEATHER-Eye) to solve problems caused by the impact of weather.
For example, MTI Ltd. and the Aviation Technology Directorate conducted joint research and technical verification for the practical application of the “technology for detecting lightning-hazard areas” from November 2019 to March 2024. In this joint research and technical verification, MTI's "technology for visualizing weather phenomena in 3D" and the “technology for detecting lightning-hazard areas” of JAXA’s Aviation Technology Directorate were combined, which resulted in the establishment of function for “3DARVI,” a weather information service that predicts potential areas of lightning strikes on aircraft and provides easy-to-understand information visually and intuitively. ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS CO., LTD. (ANA) also cooperated in the establishment of this function in which ANA’s know-how regarding flight operations is combined. In 2021, ANA started operating “3DARVI” in which ground flight operation staff advise flight crews on lightning-hazard areas.

As we announced in a press release on February 28, we are also working on technical collaboration between aviation and space to improve the functions and services of “3DARVI.”
Specifically, “3DARVI” is provided with information on rain cloud and precipitation from around the world detected by satellites using JAXA's Global Satellite Mapping of Precipitation “GSMaP,” enabling the pilot to recognize the latest weather and meteorological information in real time in the cockpit during flight. This enables safe flight route selection and reduces the pilot's in-flight workload.
This function will be used in actual flight operations by ZIPAIR Tokyo Inc. from April 2024 to verify the effectiveness of the function as soon as the system is ready.

By linking JAXA's aeronautics and space R&D results, as shown in this case, we will help solve problems in the aerospace and various other fields, and implement the R&D results in society.