March 16, 2025 (JST)

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

 JAXA Astronaut ONISHI Takuya who arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) by the Crew Dragon Spacecraft (Crew-10), has begun his long-duration stay as the 72nd and 73rd expedition crew member. Docking to the ISS and Opening Hatch schedules are as follows:

  The Crew Dragon Spacecraft (Crew-10) launched at 8:03 (JST) on March 15, 2025 from Kennedy Space Center, successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS) at 13:04 on March 16, and astronaut ONISHI Takuya has started the long-duration mission aboard the ISS.

 Under the mission theme of "Bringing Out the Full Potential of Kibo,” astronaut Onishi will engage in a wide range of activities during his stay. These include research in life sciences, material and physical sciences, as well as technological demonstrations that contribute to future lunar exploration, Post-ISS initiatives, and the development of next-generation leaders. Utilizing the unique environment of the Japanese Experiment Module “Kibo” on the ISS, he will conduct these missions in collaboration with astronauts from international partners.

 This will be astronaut Onishi’s second space flight. I believe that his expertise and experience including as a Flight Director will contribute to the success of the mission by enabling him to work closely with the crews onboard Crew-10, the ground operations team, and the researchers involved in the experiments.

 Additionally, during the 73rd long-duration mission, astronaut Onishi is scheduled to assume the role of ISS Commander. As the Commander, he will ensure the safety of his fellow crew members aboard the ISS and demonstrate outstanding leadership in achieving the mission objectives.

 In addition, I think that the ISS long-duration mission of Japanese astronauts, including astronaut Onishi, symbolizes the strong trust and partnership between Japan and its international partners. I would like to extend my gratitude to NASA, other relevant domestic and international organizations, as well as to the general public for their invaluable support in making this mission possible. With the ISS playing a vital role in advancing international space exploration while also serving as a platform for pioneering private-sector initiatives, JAXA continues to work hard to maximize its potential by fostering collaboration between industry, academia, and government, promoting innovation, and supporting commercial space activities. Your continuous support would be highly appreciated.