JAXA | March 2010

March 31, 2010 Updated

Live report of Astronaut Yamazaki's departure at 6:30 p.m. on April 5

At 7:21 p.m. on April 5 (Mon, Japan Standard Time,) Space Shuttle Discovery, with Astronaut Naoko Yamazaki aboard, will be launched.
JAXA will broadcast the live launch report from 6:30 p.m. on April 5th through the Internet and some public viewing sites including JAXA i.
We are also welcoming support messages to Astronaut Yamazaki. Please support this mission in which two Japanese astronauts will be in space at the same time. (Photo by NASA)
* The date and time of the live broadcast are subject to change due to launch preparations and weather conditions.

March 27, 2010 Updated

Astronaut Naoko Yamazaki leaves for space at 7:21 p.m. on April 5 (Mon., JST)

The Space Shuttle "Discovery," which Astronaut Naoko Yamazaki will be aboard (STS-131/19A mission,) is officially announced to be launched at 7:21 p.m. on April 5 (Mon.) Japan Standard Time (or at 6:21 a.m. on the same day U.S. Eastern Daylight Saving Time.)
This is the first flight to space for Astronaut Yamazaki, and, as the first Japanese female mission specialist, she will mainly manipulate the robotic arm of the International Space Station (ISS) and Space Shuttle to move a Multi-Purpose Logistics Module, Leonardo, from the Space Shuttle to the ISS, then take it back to the Shuttle. She will also work as a Load Master to be responsible for overall material transportation operations between the Shuttle and the ISS.
Currently, Astronaut Soichi Noguchi is on the expedition mission at the ISS, thus Astronaut Yamazaki's trip to space will mark the first occasion for two Japanese astronauts to stay in space at the same time.
JAXA will broadcast the live Space Shuttle launch through the Internet and at JAXA i. We are also welcoming support messages to Astronaut Yamazaki.
(Photo by NASA)

March 16, 2010 Updated

Kibo's small fine robotic arm attached!

On March 10 and 11, Astronaut Soichi Noguchi and Astronaut Timothy J Creamer used the airlock of the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo" Pressurized Module for the first time to take the Kibo's Small Fine robotic Arm (SFA) out of the International Space Station.
On March 12, Astronaut Noguchi and other astronauts manipulated the Kibo's robotic arm, and at 0:16 a.m. on March 13, the SFA was attached to the SFA Stowage Equipment, or SSE, on the Exposed Facility. With the SFA on the SSE, all of the Kibo's system devices were installed, and their functional checks were completed. Kibo's basic function has now been successfully established.

March 3, 2010 Updated

"AKATSUKI" launch date set! Special site open

The launch time and day of the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 17 (H-IIA F17) has been set for 6:44:14 a.m. on May 18. The H-IIA will carry the Venus Climate Orbiter "AKATSUKI," the Small Solar Power Sail Demonstrator "IKAROS," and four other small satellites to space.
The AKATSUKI special website opens today to keep you updated about its preparation status before its arrival to the Venus orbit. Please enjoy the site.