February 25, 2009 Updated
New JAXA astronaut candidates selected!
JAXA has been recruiting and selecting new astronaut candidates who are expected to stay on the International Space Station (ISS) to operate the ISS. Today, we are pleased to announce that two candidates were selected. They will go through training for two years as a candidate, and if they become certified after the training, they will officially become astronauts. Upon receiving certification, if they are selected as an ISS onboard astronaut, they will further undergo some mission-specific training for about two years, then they will be stationed at the ISS for up to six months. At the ISS, they are expected to be in charge of operations and maintenance of the ISS including the Japanese Experiment Module “Kibo” and carrying out various space experiment missions. (Photo: Left: Mr. Yui, Right: Mr. Ohnishi)
February 18, 2009 Updated
"KAGUYA" successfully captured Earth's diamond ring
On Feb. 10 (JST), the lunar explorer “KAGUYA” successfully took an image of the moment when the Earth looked like a diamond ring by its onboard high definition camera. The moment came when a penumbral lunar eclipse occurred and the view of the Sun from the KAGUYA was mostly covered by the Earth, thus the earth looked like a diamond ring. This is the first time that this phenomenon was shot from the Moon. (Image: (C) JAXA/NHK)* A penumbral lunar eclipse is a phenomenon in which the Sun, Earth and Moon line up in tandem, hence the moon is in the Earth's penumbra, or, when you look from the Moon, the Sun is partially covered by the Earth (partial eclipse.) When the phenomenon occurs, the volume of light from the Sun to the Moon decreases, thus the Moon surface looks darker when you look it from the Earth.
February 13, 2009 Updated
KAGUYA (SELENE) special edition research reports published in Science Magazine
Four KAGUYA research reports using observation data from the Terrain Camera (TC) onboard the KAGUYA and a perspective titled "Seeing the Missing Half" were published as part of a KAGUYA special edition in Science Magazine dated February 13, 2009. The observation image taken by the TC was also featured on the cover page of the Magazine. The relay satellite "OKINA (RSTAR)" made an impact on the lunar surface at 19:46 p.m. on February 12, 2009 (JST), and we confirmed that at 0:22 a.m. on the 13th (JST.)
February 9, 2009 Updated
IBUKI "First Light" Acquisition
JAXA successfully acquired the “First Light” by the Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite “IBUKI” (GOSAT) during the course of its initial functional check. The data was acquired by the onboard sensors of the IBUKI, the Fourier Transform Spectrometer (TANSO-FTS) and the Cloud and Aerosol Imager (TANSO-CAI), which were just activated. The IBUKI was launched at 12:54 p.m. on January 23 (Japan Standard Time.) Its initial functional check has been carried out on schedule, and the satellite is in good condition.We will continue to carry out the initial functional check, which is scheduled to be completed in three months after its launch. JAXA, the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), and the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) will then cooperatively carry out the initial calibration and validation operations including comparing IBUKI data and data acquired on the ground, confirming the data accuracy, and making compensations based on the data.
February 4, 2009 Updated
HAYABUSA: Firing ion engine and starting second phase orbit maneuver to return to Earth
JAXA reignited the ion engine of the Asteroid Explore "HAYABUSA" for a powered flight at 11:35 a.m. on February 4, 2009 (JST.) The HAYABUSA arrived at the asteroid "ITOKAWA" in 2005 and is now scheduled to return to the Earth in June 2010.We will continue to gradually accelerate the HAYABUSA by the ion engine until around March 2010 to carry out the second phase orbit maneuvering for returning it to the Earth.(The "HAYABUSA" landing on the asteroid "ITOKAWA" (Artist's concept) ©Akihiro Ikeshita)