Koichi Wakata reaches ISS for record 5th space mission by Japanese astronaut

[Hamartia Antidote]

Koichi Wakata reaches ISS for record 5th space mission by Japanese astronaut - The Mainichi

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Kyodo) -- Astronaut Koichi Wakata arrived at the International Space Station on Thursday to begin his fifth space mission, a

mainichi.jp

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Kyodo) -- Astronaut Koichi Wakata arrived at the International Space Station on Thursday to begin his fifth space mission, a new record for a Japanese astronaut, after a U.S. SpaceX spacecraft successfully docked with the orbiting lab.

The 59-year-old is one of four on NASA's fifth crew rotation mission to the ISS for a six-month stay to conduct science experiments. They arrived around 29 hours after the launch of the U.S. commercial spacecraft Crew Dragon from Florida on Wednesday.

Wakata, who is also the oldest Japanese astronaut, said it had been "a smooth ride, just like in the simulation," and thanked the international organizations behind the mission. "I cannot wait to start working with our crewmates," he added.

With an eye to future missions on the Moon and Mars, experiments aboard the ISS will include testing the movement of liquids in low-gravity environments, which it is hoped will lead to development of technologies such as lubricants for use by space explorers.

The other members of the latest SpaceX Crew-5 mission are two NASA astronauts -- spacecraft commander Nicole Mann and pilot Josh Cassada -- as well as Russian cosmonaut Anna Kikina.

It was the first spaceflight for Mann, Cassada and Kikina, according to the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Wakata and Kikina are serving as mission specialists.

Wakata's four previous space flights include U.S. Space Shuttle flights in 1996, 2000, and 2009, and a Russian Soyuz flight in 2013. The latest mission is his third long-term expedition at the ISS.

Space Exploration Technologies Corp., founded by tech billionaire Elon Musk, developed the Crew Dragon as a successor to NASA's costly Space Shuttle transportation system that was in service for 30 years through 2011.

The SpaceX system seeks to reduce costs by reusing its spacecraft and rockets.

Following its first manned test flight in May 2020, the Crew Dragon has continued to send astronauts to the ISS.

Two other Japanese astronauts -- Soichi Noguchi, 57, and

Akihiko Hoshide, 53 -- have been on board previous flights.

The spacecraft carrying the four astronauts launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, at midday local time on Wednesday, and docked with the ISS at around 5 p.m. Thursday.

 

[Whizzack]

I realize that Japan is an aging society, but is there really no regeneration ongoing for the Japanese astronaut corps..? Seems like the Japanese astronaut corps consists solely of 50+ years old men and it's always these same guys that keeps getting sent to the ISS..

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

School assignment is out of this world

METRO DETROIT — “Davis Aerospace Technical High School. Welcome aboard the International Space Station. We are looking forward to answering your questions. Over.

www.candgnews.com

Benjamin O. Davis Aerospace Technical High School 10th grade student Brianna Thompson listens to Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata, pictured on the computer screen, from space Oct. 18.

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

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School assignment is out of this world​

METRO DETROIT — “Davis Aerospace Technical High School. Welcome aboard the International Space Station. We are looking forward to answering your questions. Over.”

That was the greeting from Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Koichi Wakata while talking to the students from space aboard the ISS as it orbited the earth Oct. 18.

Wakata, a Japanese engineer and veteran of several NASA space shuttle missions, communicated with a group of Benjamin O. Davis aerospace students during a 10-minute conversation that began at approximately 1:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Just over a dozen students asked Wakata one question.

Several Detroit Public Schools Community District employees attended the event, as did members of the Tuskegee Airmen Detroit Chapter. The Tuskegee Airmen were the first Black military pilots who fought in World War II. Some of the veterans present serve on the Benjamin O. Davis Aerospace Technical Advisory Committee.

The event was coordinated with help from the Hazel Park Amateur Radio Club. Club members — including Michael Slupinski, of Warren, and Michael Phipps, of Hazel Park — set up their ham radio equipment inside the media center to connect with Wakata. Two computer monitors displayed a photo of the ISS and Wakata as he interacted with the students.

“We are really happy to hear you,” Phipps told Wakata as the conversation began. “Be prepared for third-party traffic.”

The contact with the ISS was part of the Amateur Radio on International Space Station (ARISS) program. Davis was one of eight schools selected across the country to interact with the ISS this fall. The high school was named after Benjamin O. Davis Jr., the first Black general in the U.S. Air Force.

The visit with Wakata was designed to engage the students in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) activities. The program also raises awareness of space and radio communications, space exploration and career possibilities.

Wakata answered questions about lightning, power supplies and toxins in space, among other inquiries. At the end of each answer, Wakata said “over.”

“We orbit the earth about every 90 minutes. We have been conducting a lot of observations and photographing that continue the studies about lightning. Some of those photos identify that the lightning goes up from the clouds toward space,” Wakata said. “We have equipment for the Space Station to scrub toxins, odors and other household (inaudible) on the ISS. We have an excellent system.”

Another question was, “What does it feel like when you take off in the rocket?”