March 29, 2006 Updated
Japan-US Inquiry in Space Symposium
The Japan-US Inquiry in Space Symposium, sponsored by the Ministry of Education Culture Sports, Science and Technology, was held on March 28th at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation. While Professor Junichiro Kawaguchi reported the achievement and latest status of the Hayabusa, Dr. Louis Friedman, the executive director of the Planetary Society, lectured on the world history of space exploration and expressed his high expectations for Japanese space-related activities. In the subsequent discussion, various discussion topics for planetary exploration were presented including "international cooperation and competition in planetary exploration," "planetary exploration strategies that take advantages of Japanese strong points," and "how to overcome financial and other resource limits." In the course of the discussion, participants agreed with Dr. Friedman when he pointed out that "the biggest achievement of planetary exploration is that it inspires many people." A full report on the symposium will be published on our website at a later date.
Photo caption:
Dr. Friedman explaining the history of moon and planetary exploration.
March 27, 2006 Updated
Spring has come with cherry blossoms and lots of educational events at JAXA facilities
The Japanese school spring vacation season has started, and each JAXA office has prepared various educational events. Between the 23rd and 25th, the Tanegashima Space Center (Kagoshima) conducted a "Space School" for high school to graduate school students. Participants could interact with space development and actually experienced launch control simulations and model rocket launches. At the Tsukuba Space Center, a "Cosmic College, Master Course" will be held from the 26th to the 28th of March. This is a first trial for JAXA to allow participants to experience and feel the "actual site of space development as a working place." Please try it.
March 22, 2006 Updated
Pay attention to JAXA i this week
JAXA i, the JAXA information center in Marunouchi, Tokyo, will hold a special event for the spring vacation season in addition to our regular monthly event.<JAXA i monthly talk>
Every month, JAXA i invites a specialist in the fields of space and aviation for a small talk. This month's speaker is Professor Nakasuga of the University of Tokyo, who is in charge of a micro satellite project.
<JAXA i spring vacation event in Marunouchi OAZO>
We will hold a special event for the asteroid probe "Hayabusa" at the OO square on the first floor of the Marunouch OAZO building on March 26, the first Sunday of the Japanese school spring vacation period. The event includes a talk show by the Hayabusa project manager, Junichiro, Kawaguchi, and live performance by the grand prix winner of the Space Music Campaign held last year. For more details, please check the "VISIT JAXA - JAXA I -" site.
March 8, 2006 Updated
Three MS certified astronauts held a press conference
The three JAXA astronauts who were certified as Mission Specialists (MS) by NASA held a press conference at the JAXA Tokyo office. They are Astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, Akihiko Hoshide, and Naoko Yamazaki. The three astronauts who have gone through various types of stringent training talked about their hopes and expectations to contribute to the assembly of the International Space Station/Kibo and manned Moon and Mars exploration, as well as their enthusiasm about their space trip and further training.
March 8, 2006 Updated
Communication with the Hayabusa restored Trajectory was successfully estimated on Mar. 6 for the first time in three months
Communication with the asteroid probe "Hayabusa" has been restored, though it is through a low speed of 32 bps. The Hayabusa's communication with the earth had been lost since November 2005 as the attitude of the spacecraft swayed off course after taking off from the small asteroid "Itokawa." We have been gradually finding out the current status of the Hayabusa, and, on March 6, we were able to estimate its current position and speed for the first time in three months. The operation team will continue their efforts to have it back to earth by June 2010.
March 1, 2006 Updated
Japan-U.S. Inquiry in Space Symposium to be held at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation
The Japan U.S Inquiry in Space Symposium will be held at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Odaiba, Tokyo) on March 28 to discuss the dreams and future of space exploration with Dr. Louis Friedman of the Planetary Society (distinguished guest) and Dr. Junichiro Kawaguchi of the "Hayabusa." Other panelists include Mr. Hiroki Matsuo of the Space Activities Commission, Dr. Sho Sasaki of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, and Mr. Shinya Matsuura, a non-fiction writer. Dr. Yasunori Matogawa, JAXA Associate Executive Director, will act as MC. Admission is free, but prior registration through the Internet or fax is required.
The Symposium is sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.