The information on this page was published in the past, thus it may be different from the current status.
To check the date of issuance, please refer to the following URL for the list of interviews, or for the list of special articles.

Flash Player
Wakata What is the next thing?
Chiao Well, it's still a bit uncertain, but I will do the consulting, and I'll see how I can contribute. But I'm sure whatever I do will involve the space program. That's where my passion is.
Wakata That's great. You have done so many things. You are one of the most experienced EVA crew members in NASA. Personally, I've been learning a lot from you. And I think Japan can learn a lot from you.
Chiao Thank you.
Wakata So what do you think about Chinese astronauts going into space?
Chiao I think it's great. I'm Chinese-American, of course, and so it's very interesting to see China actually launch their own astronauts, becoming the third nation, following the United States and Russia, to do so. I think it's good to have competition. Now we have a third country that can launch astronauts, so it's good for all of us. It makes us a little bit more competitive and wanting to be the leader.
Wakata What do you know about future spacecraft that NASA will be developing?
Chiao I think NASA is going down the right path with the CEV [Crew Exploration Vehicle]. NASA Administrator Mike Griffin has directed his teams to look at different options, and I think we're converging on a good solution, something that makes sense - taking existing hardware and evolving it, making a new vehicle that is safer and more reliable. So I think they're all going in the right direction.
Wakata Do you have any advice for Japanese human space programs?
Chiao I think space exploration is important for all countries that are able to do it. And Japan of course has been involved in manned space flight for many years. I would say keep supporting space flight, keep telling the public and the politicians why it's important to advance science and explore the galaxy. I encourage the Japanese to keep doing what they're doing.
Wakata Do you have any advice for Japan on the JEM (Japanese Experiment Module)?
Chiao From what I've seen, it will make a nice addition to the space station, and I look forward to having the JEM attached, and also to you being involved in that and being on board during the JEM operations. I think it's a good science module. There will be good research that comes out of it, and it will enhance the research capabilities of the station.
Wakata Thank you very much.
Wakata and Chaio (Photo)
Post-interview comment by Wakata

I am very grateful for the opportunity to fly twice on the space shuttle flights with Dr. Chiao, on STS-72 and STS-92. He is one of the best spacewalk specialists at NASA. (He has performed six spacewalks in total, in both U.S. and Russian space suits!) And in the spacelab mission, IML-2, on STS-65, which Japanese astronaut Chiaki Mukai also flew on, he carried out numerous scientific experiments. He was also the Commander of ISS Expedition 10. His achievements as an astronaut are indeed remarkable. I have learned so much from him through space-flight training and operations in the NASA astronaut center, not to mention that he is a great leader and a wonderful colleague. He is always full of humor and charm, so it's very enjoyable working with him. I believe that Dr. Chiao will continue making even greater contributions to manned space development.
Back 1 | 2 | 3 | 4  
Flash Player