JAXA Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

New NASDA ISS Astronauts Satoshi Furukawa and Akihiko Hoshide Born

National Space Development Agency of Japan

Two astronaut candidates of the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA), Satoshi Furukawa and Akihiko Hoshide, completed the training and have been qualified as ISS astronauts. NASDA has been conducted Basic Training for astronaut candidates for the International Space Station (ISS) since April, 1999.

Furukawa and Hoshide will participate in the subsequent overall ISS training (Advanced Training), which will be conducted in Japan and countries participating in the ISS program. They will also support development of Japanese Experiment Module (Kibo). After they are assigned ISS flight, they will receive the training of individual crewmembers' roles for their own specific tasks during the mission (Increment-Specific Training) and prepare for the flight.

Basic Training is based on an international guidelines specified by the space agencies (Japan, the US, Canada European countries, and Russia). The guidelines are covering the necessary ISS training fundamental contents, such as scientific and engineering knowledge, techniques, language skills, physical conditioning and mental attitude. Furukawa and Hoshide are the first astronauts to have completed Basic Training by Japan and be qualified as astronauts.

• Personal Data (Satoshi Furukawa)
• Personal Data (Akihiko Hoshide)

• International Space Station