About JAXA's Astronauts
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JAXA currently has six astronauts. In April 2021, Astronaut Akihiko Hoshide joined the Crew-2 team on the
new
Crew Dragon spacecraft built by the U.S. company SpaceX, and completed a long-term mission on the ISS. On
the ISS, he performed a variety of experiments, and also served as the second Japanese astronaut to be
appointed as the commander of the ISS. Next, Astronaut Koichi Wakata and Astronaut Satoshi Furukawa are
scheduled to serve long-term missions on the ISS in the fall of 2022 and 2023, respectively. As missions
involving
astronauts will likely expand from now on to include lunar orbit and the lunar surface, JAXA started
recruiting
astronaut candidates for the first time in 13 years. Eligibility was broadly expanded to include those
with no
academic background, resulting in the largest ever number of submitted entries totaling 4,127
applicants*. |
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Press Release
index-
- Aug. 28, 2023 (01:20) [release]
- JAXA Astronaut FURUKAWA Satoshi Starts the International Space Station (ISS) Expedition Mission
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- Aug. 26, 2023 (17:45) [release]
- Launch of the Crew Dragon Spacecraft (Crew-7) with JAXA Astronaut FURUKAWA Satoshi
Astronauts' Tasks
JAXA astronauts have been contributing to the ISS project through assembly work of the ISS and the Kibo, the Japanese Experiment Module, and have accumulated experience and knowledge. By utilizing these skills, the astronauts mainly perform the following tasks while they stay at the ISS.
Experiments and research
Space experiments utilizing the environment that is different from Earth such as microgravity and high
vacuum.

Operation and maintenance of ISS and Kibo
Maintaining the ISS systems including those for electricity, communications, environment control, and experiment support. Repairing and maintaining the ISS.

Robotic arm operation
Using the ISS and Kibo robotic arms, installation, exchange and repair of experiment instruments and test materials are conducted. The arms are also used for capturing rendezvous and berth type spacecrafts such as the KOUNOTORI and Cygnus.

Extravehicular activities (with space suit on)
To carry out some repair and maintenance work on the ISS as well as experiments that cannot be conducted by a robotic arm.

How to Become an Astronaut
Selection of Astronaut Candidates
Needless to say, astronauts need to have expert knowledge of science and technology. In addition, they are required to be fluent in English, in order to communicate with astronauts from different countries who live and work with them. Astronauts have been selected based on the screening of application documents; a series of written exams on the English language, general and specialized knowledge of natural science, interviews, and medical and psychological examinations. |
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Training of Astronaut
After being selected, astronaut candidates undergo Basic Training. They obtain basic knowledge and
technical skills in space engineering, space science, space medicine, the Space Shuttle and ISS systems,
the English and Russian languages. They also receive flight training and physical training. Upon
completion of Basic Training, they are officially certified as astronauts and receive more advanced
training in the operation of spacecraft systems and experimental equipment, as well as training to work in
space. They also continue with language instruction, flight training, and physical training. |
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Summary of Japan-related missions and flight results
Contents
- July 23, 2012
- Showing a Bright Future from Space
Akihiko Hoshide
- March 30, 2011
- A Doctor Looks Forward to Working in Space
Satoshi Furukawa
- Nov. 20, 2009
- First Extended Stay in Space by a Japanese Astronaut
- Jul. 11, 2008
- Moving Toward a New Era of Manned Space Activities
- July 5, 2005
- Supporting the Return-to-flight
Koichi Wakata
- August 10, 2004
- Training progresses to next stage
Satoshi Furukawa
- February 16, 2004
- One year since the Columbia accident
Koichi Wakata