Certification for ISS onboard astronaut
July 26, 2011 (JST)
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency has been providing basic training to be certified as an astronaut for the International Space Station (ISS) to astronaut candidates Kimiya Yui, and Takuya Onishi since April 2009, and also to astronaut candidate Norishige Kanai since September 2009. The three candidates have completed all their basic training requirements, thus they were certified as ISS astronauts on July 25, 2011.
The three will further participate in training to improve their knowledge and techniques as astronauts mainly at the NASA Johnson Space Center as well as in Japan and other countries.
(Reference)
- Basic training aims at acquiring basic knowledge and techniques necessary for ISS onboard astronauts. The training shall be provided by the country that selected the astronaut candidates, and it is based on the training program agreed among the space agencies of ISS participating countries (Japan, the U.S., Canada, European countries and Russia.)
- Training subjects are: 1) training to acquire knowledge on spacecraft systems, the ISS system, basic engineering, and basic science; 2) training to acquire techniques to operate the ISS system, to conduct extravehicular activities, and to maneuver a robotic arm; 3) training to acquire basic skills and behavior as an astronaut including piloting an aircraft and survival training; 4) improving English and Russian language skills.
- Certified astronauts
- Kimiya Yui
- Takuya Onishi
- Norishige Kanai
- Brief history of the three astronauts
Please refer to Attachment 1. - Messages from other astronauts for certification
Please refer to Attachment 2.
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Attachment 1
Biography of Astronauts Yui, Onishi, and Kanai
Kimiya Yui
As of July 26, 2011
| 1970 | Born in Nagano Prefecture, Japan |
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| March 1992 | Graduated from Graduate School of Science and Engineering, National Defense Academy of Japan |
| April 1992 | Joined Japan Air Self Defense Force, Ministry of Defense (then Defense Agency) |
| Dec. 2008- | Worked at the Air Staff Office, Japan Air Self Defense Force |
| Feb. 2009 | Selected as an ISS astronaut candidate by JAXA along with Takuya Onishi |
| March 2009 | Quit the Ministry of Defense |
| April 2009 | Joined JAXA |
| April 2009 | Participated in ISS onboard astronaut basic training |
| July 2011 | Completed the training |
| July 2011 | Certified as an ISS onboard astronaut |
Takuya Onishi
As of July 26, 2011
| 1975 | Born in Tokyo, Japan |
|---|---|
| March 1998 | Bachelor's degree from Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Tokyo |
| April 1998 | Joined All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd |
| June 2003 - | Worked at the Flight Crew Center of All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. |
| Feb. 2009 | Selected as an ISS astronaut candidate by JAXA along with Kimiya Yui |
| March 2009 | ?Quit All Nippon Airways Co. Ltd. |
| April 2009 | Joined JAXA |
| April 2009 | Participated in ISS onboard astronaut basic training |
| July 2011 | Completed the training |
| July 2011 | Certified as an ISS onboard astronaut |
Norishige Kanai
As of July 26, 2011
| 1976 | Born in Chiba Prefecture, Japan |
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| March 2002 | Graduated from National Defense Medical College |
| April 2002 - | Worked at National Defense Medical College Hospital, Japan Self Defense Force Ohminato Hospital and Japan Self Defense Force Hospital Kure, etc. |
| June 2009 - | Worked at Medical Service Division, 1st Service School, Japan Maritime Self Defense Force |
| Sept. 2009 | Selected as an ISS astronaut candidate by JAXA |
| Sept. 2009 | Quid the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force |
| Sept. 2009 | Joined JAXA |
| Sept. 2009 | Participated in ISS onboard astronaut basic training |
| July 2011 | Completed the training |
| July 2011 | Certified as an ISS onboard astronaut |
Attachment 2
Congratulatory messages from other astronauts on certification
Congratulations to Mr. Yui, Onishi, and Kanai on their certification.
I am looking forward to working with you in the field of space medicine and biology when you stay at the ISS for a long period of time.
Let's work together and do our best for human space development that can contribute to society.
Congratulations to Mr. Yui, Onishi, and Kanai on their certification.
As a fellow JAXA astronaut, I am very proud of your splendid activities during the astronaut candidate training.
Now, it is time for you to play an active roll in space.
With your passion, let's further improve various astronaut activities including training for a long-time stay at the ISS, then let's work together to develop the world's human space activities.
Congratulations to Mr. Yui, Onishi, and Kanai on their certification.
I suppose that you all are relieved after completing the severe ASCAN training in Houston.
Please work harder to be ready for your first flight.
I am looking forward to working with you.
Congratulations to Mr. Yui, Onishi, and Kanai on their certification.
At the ISS, all training items that we have gone through are useful.
The certification this time is just a passing point to be an astronaut, so please steadily climb the ladder one step at a time.
From space to the future ? let's work together to be able to contribute to a better future for society through human space activities.
Congratulations to Mr. Yui, Onishi, and Kanai on their certification.
You are now one step closer to space after completing the NASA astronaut candidate training for about two years.
I expect that you will take an active part in space based on the foundations of high skill and teamwork built through further improving your knowledge and technique like our women's soccer team "Nadeshiko Japan."
Let's do our best!
I am very glad to hear that the three of you, Mr. Yui, Onishi, and Kanai, have been certified and now join us as a fellow astronauts.
You will all bring a fresh breeze to Japan's human space development.
I would like to give you my full support for you to do your best in your daily training and work, then in operations of the ISS.
Let's make every effort toward the Kibo's future.