Endeavour [September 12 – 20, 1992]
Mamoru Mouri was the first time Japanese astronaut to fly on a Space Shuttle. Astronaut Mouri performed the 1992 First Material Processing Test, a space experiment project with a total of 34 studies. Twenty-two of these were materials experiments – for example, using microgravity to create new materials – and 12 were life science experiments, such as testing how space sickness affects fish. He also gave children back in Japan a “space lesson,” telling them what kind of place outer space is.
Columbia [July 9 – 23, 1994]
The first female astronaut from Asia, Chiaki Mukai was part of the Second International Microgravity Laboratory project. One of the more newsworthy experiments by Japan was one that investigated the effects of the space environment on aquatic life forms such as Japanese killifish and Japanese fire belly newts. Astronaut Mukai observed killifish mating and spawning eggs, which produced eight “space killifish.” These “spacelings” were returned to Earth, and to this day various owners are raising their offspring, some of which were given to eager elementary and junior high school students.
Endeavour [January 11 – 20, 1996]
Koichi Wakata, the first Japanese mission specialist on a Space Shuttle crew, used the vehicle’s robotic arm to retrieve the Space Flyer Unit, a Japanese satellite that had been launched into orbit 10 months earlier. Astronaut Wakata also operated the robotic arm to perform spacewalk-related tests that would help construct the International Space Station (ISS).
Columbia [November 20 – December 5, 1997]
The first Japanese astronaut to conduct a spacewalk, Takao Doi tested the functions and operability of equipment used to build the ISS. During one of their two spacewalks, he and fellow crew member Winston Scott also pulled off a difficult, unscheduled task, using their hands to retrieve the Spartan satellite, which had not deployed properly when it was released into orbit a few days earlier.
Discovery [October 30 – November 8, 1998]
Astronaut Mukai conducted life science and space medicine experiments. In addition to performing tests on plants, she herself became a test subject by collecting medical data on her brainwaves and other aspects of her physical condition while asleep, in order to investigate the effects of the space environment on the human body. She also used her experience as a physician to help manage the health of John Glenn, who at the age of 77 was the oldest astronaut ever to fly in space.
Endeavour [February 12 – 23, 2000]
On this Earth observation mission to create a detailed 3-D model of the planet’s surface, an antenna that was mounted into the Space Shuttle’s fuselage and an external one that was deployed outside the shuttle collected topographical data. Astronaut Mouri also shot high-definition video of the Earth.
Discovery [October 12 – 25, 2000]
Astronaut Wakata became the first Japanese astronaut to work on the assembly of the ISS. He operated the Space Shuttle’s robotic arm to mount parts and assist during spacewalks. NASA praised Astronaut Wakata for his skilled operation of the robotic arm, which accurately carried crew members to their work stations outside the shuttle.
Discovery [July 26 – August 9, 2005]
This was the first Return to Flight mission following the Columbia disaster two-and-a-half years prior. The crew replaced a gyroscope that helps control the space station’s orientation in orbit, and installed parts that would allow more components to be added later. Astronaut Noguchi was the leader on three spacewalks, during which he spent a total of 20 hours outside the Space Shuttle.
Endeavour [March 11 – 27, 2008]
On this first flight to assemble Kibo, the Japanese Experiment Module, the Experiment Logistics Module-Pressurized Section was launched. Astronaut Doi controlled the Space Shuttle’s robotic arm to mount the new section and conduct maintenance. He then became the first Japanese person to enter his country’s first manned space facility.
Discovery [June 1 – 15, 2008]
On this second flight to assemble Kibo, the Pressurized Module and robotic arm were mounted. Astronaut Hoshide controlled the ISS’s robotic arm as the astronaut in charge of all Kibo-related work. The mission completed the core section of Kibo, and laid the foundation for starting experiments.
Discovery [March 16 – 29, 2009]
On this mission, Astronaut Wakata became the first Japanese astronaut to take part in a long-duration mission in space, staying on the ISS for four-and-a-half months after being dropped off by the Space Shuttle. The mission delivered the last of four Solar Array Paddles that would supply electricity to the ISS.
Astronaut Wakata operated the space station’s robotic arm to help assemble the station, while also conducting experiments during his stay on board.
Endeavour [July 16 – 31, 2009]
This was the third and final shuttle flight to assemble Kibo, during which Astronaut Wakata operated the robotic arm to mount the Exposed Facility and the ELM Exposed Section. He then returned to Earth on the Space Shuttle to end his four-and-a-half-month mission on the ISS.
Discovery [April 5 – 20, 2010]
In addition to ferrying cargo that included supplies for space experiments to the ISS as the crew member in charge of cargo transport, Astronaut Yamazaki also operated the robotic arm. She met Soichi Noguchi, who had been on a long-duration mission on the ISS since December 2009, to become the first pair of Japanese astronauts to be on the station at the same time.
* STS stands for Space Transportation System, which is a name for NASA’s Space Shuttle program.
* Dates are given according to Japan Standard Time (JST).
(Photos courtesy: NASA and JAXA)
Kibo: The Focal Point of Japan’s Manned Space Program
Leadership Expectations for Japanese Astronauts
The Space Shuttle helped me grow as an astronaut
Trajectory of Shuttle Missions with Japanese Crew Members
