May 26, 2008 Updated
Let's wake up early and cheer on the launch of Astronaut Hoshide on Sunday, June 1!
At 6:02 a.m. on Sunday, June 1 (Japan Standard Time,) the Space Shuttle “Discovery,” with Astronaut Hoshide onboard, is scheduled to be launched. The mission, the 1J (STS-124), is the second delivery mission of the Japanese Experiment Module “Kibo,” and the main module, the Pressurized Module, and the Robotic Arm are planned to be attached to the International Space Station (ISS.)JAXA will broadcast a live Internet report with Japanese explanations of the launch of the Discovery, as well as the Kibo's installation, and the return of the Shuttle to Earth. We also plan a repeat of the report, thus if you miss the real-time event, you can still watch it.
The live report starts at 5:30 a.m. on June 1. Let's wake up early on Sunday to cheer on the launch of Astronaut Hoshide and the Kibo!
May 20, 2008 Updated
Astronaut Hoside and the Kibo Pressurized Module to travel to space on June 1!
The launch date and time for the Space Shuttle “Discovery,” on which JAXA Astronaut Akihiko Hoshide is scheduled to be aboard, was officially announced as 6:02 a.m. on June 1, Sunday (Japan Standard Time.) The 1J (STS-124) mission is the second delivery of the Japanese Experiment Module “Kibo.” It aims to attach the Kibo’s Pressurized Module and Robotic Arms to the International Space Station.
May 14, 2008 Updated
Astronaut Noguchi selected as crew member for ISS Expedition
JAXA Astronaut Soichi Noguchi was selected as a key member of the 20th Expedition to the International Space Station (ISS) for a six-month stay, and Astronaut Satoshi Furukawa was chosen as his backup. Astronaut Noguchi will mainly conduct space utilization activities such as Japan's scientific experiments on the ISS, where six other crew members on the flight will join him.
May 9, 2008 Updated
Kibo's Japanese Pressurized Module loaded on the Space Shuttle
Astronaut Hoshide arrived at the Kennedy Space Center for final training
Astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, who is set to join the STS-124 mission (1J) to the International Space Station (ISS), arrived at the Kennedy Space Center on the 6th of May (U.S. Time) for the final training session before the Shuttle’s launch. In this mission, the Kibo’s Japanese Pressurized Module (JPM) and robotic arm, the Remote Manipulator System (JEMRMS) will be connected to the ISS.This final training session is called the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT), in which astronauts will actually board the Space Shuttle Discovery in their orange pressure suits and simulate the count down right up to the final launch.
The Space Shuttle Discovery was moved to the launch pad on May 3 (U.S. Time), and the JPM and JEMRMS were loaded in the payload bay (hold) on May 5 (U.S. Time) and are ready for the countdown.