Return of Crew Dragon Spacecraft (Crew-1)
with JAXA Astronaut NOGUCHI Soichi
May 2, 2021 (JST)
National Research and Development Agency
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
The Crew Dragon spacecraft (Crew-1) has safely returned to Earth with JAXA Astronaut NOGUCHI Soichi abord, who completed his long-duration mission on the International Space Station (ISS).
| 1. | Landing Date/Time: May 2, 2021 / 15:56 (Japan Standard Time, JST) [May 2, 2021 / 2:56 (EDT)] Time is the 24-hour clock. |
|---|---|
| 2. | Splashdown Location: Off the coast of Panama City, Florida |
| 3. | Crewmembers: Crew-1 Commander Michael Hopkins (NASA) Crew-1 Pilot Victor Glover (NASA) Mission Specialist NOGUCHI Soichi (JAXA) Mission Specialist Shannon Walker (NASA) |
NOTE:
The Crew-1 crews stayed for 167 days, 6 hours and 29 minutes in space (165 days, 20 hours and 34 minutes in the ISS).
JAXA Astronaut NOGUCHI Soichi (Cumulative Days in space and in the ISS)
・In space: 334 days, 9 hours and 34 minutes (The second place among the Japanese astronauts)＊
・In the ISS: 335 days, 17 hours and 56 minutes (The longest record among the Japanese astronauts)
*The longest record in space is 347 days, 8 hours 33 minutes (JAXA Astronaut WAKATA Koichi)
Reference links for further information:
https://humans-in-space.jaxa.jp/en/astronaut/noguchi-soichi/
Comments by JAXA President on the Return of the Crew Dragon
Spacecraft (Crew-1) with JAXA Astronaut NOGUCHI Soichi
We are pleased with the safe return of the Crew Dragon spacecraft (Crew-1) with JAXA Astronaut NOGUCHI Soichi aboard, which splashed down off the Off the coast of Panama City, Florida today, following his long-term stay in the International Space Station (ISS).
He had steadily carried out numerous missions under the mission theme of "challenge."
Especially, he has made it possible to create new research areas that take advantage of microgravity by developing three-dimensional culture technology aimed at creating organs and preparing for experiments on the combustion phenomenon of solid materials to improve fire safety. In addition, his EVA contributed to the upgrade of the ISS by installing a new solar array mount, which is a new system to the ISS.
After returning, I hope his experience gained during his stay in the ISS will be passed JAXA Astronaut HOSHIDE Akihiko (Aki), who has started a long-duration stay, JAXA Astronaut WAKATA Koichi and Astronaut FURUKAWA Satoshi, who are planning a long stay in about 2022 and 2023 respectively. Moreover, I expect that the experience will be used for the expansion of the low-earth orbit (LEO) utilization such as ISS and Kibo, technological development and space exploration including lunar exploration through international cooperation.
I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the NASA, ESA, CSA, ROSCOSMOS, related members of international partner organizations as well as Japanese people, who have provided us with precious support and assistance. We would like to ask for your continuous support and assistance to us.
May 2, 2021
YAMAKAWA Hiroshi,
President
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)