Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency January 2011 No. 03

Special Features Professor Jun’ichiro Kawaguchi: Refl ecting on the Hayabusa mission and the future of space exploration

Particles brought back from Asteroid Itokawa: What methods did researchers use to discover particles inside Hayabusa’s sample-return capsule? Contents No. 03 Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency Interview with the professor

1−7 Interview with Professor Jun’ichiro Welcome to JAXA TODAY Jun’ichiro Kawaguchi The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) works to realize its Midori Nishiura, advisor to JAXA vision of contributing to a safe and prosperous society through the Kawaguchi on public affairs, interviewed pursuit of research and development in the aerospace fi eld to deepen Professor Jun’ichiro Kawaguchi humankind’s understanding of the universe. JAXA’s activities cover a on such topics as the development broad spectrum of the space and aeronautical fi elds, including satellite of Japan’s space probes and the development and operation, astronomical observation, planetary Interviewed by future of space exploration. exploration, participation in the International Space Station (ISS) project, and the development of new rockets and next-generation Midori Nishiura, aeronautical technology. 8-11 With the aim of disseminating information about JAXA’s activities How many particles from Itokawa and recent news relating to Japan’s space development programs to Executive Advisor for JAXA Public was Hayabusa able to capture? as wide an audience as possible, we launched JAXA TODAY in January Affairs & International Relations 2010. Marking the fi rst anniversary of the launch of JAXA TODAY, in What methods did research- this, the third issue, we feature an interview with Professor Jun’ichiro ers use to discover the particles Kawaguchi, who led the Hayabusa project, and also provide a close-up brought back from Asteroid look at how the particles brought back from Asteroid Itokawa were dis- Itokawa inside Hayabusa’s covered inside Hayabusa’s sample-return capsule. In addition, this issue sample-return capsule? includes a report on the activities of JAXA Astronaut Soichi Noguchi Nonfi ction writer Kazuma Yamane during his long-endurance mission on the ISS as well as a selection of received fi rsthand insights articles on other topics that we hope you will enjoy. on this painstaking process from Professor Akio Fujimura 「はやぶさ」 of the Institute of Space and A Miuta (Waka) Poem by

Astronautical Science (ISAS). Her Majesty the Empress 光輝その帰路に The asteroid probe Hayabusa succeeded in かがや

12-19 collecting a sample of material on Asteroid かに Itokawa and returned to earth on June 13, Astronaut Soichi Noguchi’s 2010. In this poem Her Majesty describes how, 163 days in space after completing its long journey in space, Hayabusa broke up and incinerated in a large 明かるかりしと We recap the main tasks and fi reball as it reentered the earth’s atmosphere. 己れを焼きし signifi cance of JAXA Astronaut Soichi Noguchi’s long-endurance Hayabusa project manager Professor Jun’ichiro Kawaguchi mission on the International Space Station (ISS). discusses the Hayabusa and IKAROS missions and also Hayabusa provides his views on the importance of space exploration. Our Hayabusa 20-23 He emphasizes that all his efforts are focused on achieving Expanding the frontiers of scientifi c Incinerating itself 「はやぶさ」 の discovery aboard the Japanese progress for the benefi t of humankind. Experiment Module (JEM) Kibo On its return A blazing ball of fi re Four principal investigators After a space voyage spanning more than seven years Editor’s note regarding the timing of introduce their respective scien- Luminous and brilliant. this interview tifi c experiments currently being and six billion kilometers, the asteroid explorer Hayabusa On November 16, 2010, the day after we

conducted on JEM Kibo, one of completed its mission with a triumphant return to Earth conducted this interview with Professor the ISS’ modules. on June 13, 2010. In this interview, we discussed a Kawaguchi, JAXA announced that its range of issues with Hayabusa project leader Professor analysis of particles collected from inside the return capsule’s sampler container 24-25 Kawaguchi, including: had identifi ed the particles’ origin as JAXA’s frontier • The numerous challenges the Hayabusa mission Asteroid Itokawa. This announcement— Source: The Imperial Household Agency which vindicated Professor Kawaguchi’s A roundup of JAXA’s recent overcame on the way to its historic accomplishments; strong conviction that “there is almost activities Cover Story certainly a sample in there”—disclosed Professor Jun’ichiro Kawaguchi is the manager of the Hayabusa project, which • The ongoing steady progress of IKAROS, the Small that 1,500 asteroid particles had been achieved a major breakthrough by becoming the fi rst space mission in history to Solar Power Sail Demonstrator; and return to Earth a sample of material from a celestial body other than the Moon or found inside the container. a comet. For this photograph, taken on November 15, 2010, Professor Kawaguchi • JAXA’s approach to space exploration. posed in front of a full-scale model of Hayabusa.

Photo by Hiro Arakawa Photo by Hiro Arakawa 1 JAXA TODAY No. 03 Interview with Professor Jun’ichiro Kawaguchi

The commitment of the team was “extraordinary. They were united in working toward the goal of getting Hayabusa successfully back to Earth, no matter what. Photo by Hiro Arakawa —Jun’ichiro Kawaguchi”

Hayabusa: Passing on Kawaguchi: Thank you very Kawaguchi: When the spacecraft The main reason being that the Kawaguchi: The Hayabusa for future missions that aim to cutting-edge technology to much. Hayabusa’s success is made its reentry, I didn’t stay capsule had landed a mere 500m mission was used to verify gather and return samples from “Hayabusa-2” truly the result of the fortitude in the control room. I went back from the planned drop zone. We the following major new other bodies in the Solar System. and perseverance of the entire to my offi ce to watch it alone. were also very lucky in that we technologies: (1) ion engines Nishiura: Congratulations on the project team. I would like to I wasn’t confi dent that I could spotted the capsule very quickly that provided electric-powered Nishiura: Hayabusa faced successful return of Hayabusa. take this opportunity to express maintain my composure while from the Royal Australian Air propulsion through the ionization many crises during its mission, This spacecraft has really my heartfelt gratitude to watching the monitor in front of Force helicopter. Originally, we of xenon gas; (2) an autonomous but each time it managed captured the imagination and everyone who has supported both all my staff. thought the recovery might take optical navigation system that to pull through. The mission hearts of the Japanese people Hayabusa and JAXA. about two weeks. enabled Hayabusa to approach contained so many dramatic and established its place in Nishiura: Please tell us how you and touch down on Asteroid twists and turns that it reads popular culture. Hayabusa Nishiura: When Hayabusa felt the following day, June 14, Nishiura: Hayabusa provided Itokawa; (3) sample collection on like the plot for a blockbuster books and DVDs are at the top returned on June 13, 2010, the when the return capsule was the opportunity for a practical Itokawa; (4) an Earth swing-by movie! Are there any particular of the bestseller lists and it was feelings of elation—that your recovered. demonstration of a wide array using Earth gravity assist; and episodes that stand out for you even one of the biggest topics “baby” had fi nally come home— of new technologies. Can you (5) the recovery of a sample- personally? on the micro-blogging site must have been tempered by Kawaguchi: More than briefl y outline the key new return capsule made from Twitter. the harsh reality of atmospheric jubilation, my foremost emotion technologies you used? heat-resistant materials. These Kawaguchi: In December 2005, reentry. was one of astonishment. technologies will be essential shortly after Hayabusa made

2 3 JAXA TODAY No. 03 Interview with Professor Jun’ichiro Kawaguchi

Photo by Hiro Arakawa

Professor Kawaguchi with a model of IKAROS at a recent exhibition Professor Kawaguchi in his offi ce and with members of his team

two touchdowns on Itokawa, developed the ion engines— benefi t of humankind.” Rather Nishiura: In light of Hayabusa’s of a sub-surface sample from that are embedded into the sail we lost all communication with suggested we try running a than simply pursuing their accomplishments, it must place the asteroid, something that membrane. This solar power sail the spacecraft. At that point, I bypass circuit to effect cross own national interests, those even greater expectations Hayabusa was unable to achieve. is an original Japanese concept, thought, “Is this the end?” The operation. It really was an people overseas who gave their on its successor mission, We would be honored to receive and the planned objectives of radio signals we were receiving ingenious solution. cooperation always considered Hayabusa-2? again the enthusiastic support of the mission were: (1) deployment in the Control Room got weaker how they could contribute to people in Japan and overseas. of the sail; (2) generation of and weaker, and we could tell Nishiura: For the Hayabusa progress for all humankind. Kawaguchi: Hayabusa was electricity using the solar cells; that it was slipping further away project, you cooperated with This generosity of spirit was a demonstration project for (3) acceleration and deceleration from us. Itokawa is about three both NASA and the Australian very inspiring. a wide range of technologies IKAROS: Japan’s original solar of the spacecraft using the solar billion kilometers from Earth, government. What did this necessary in the collection and power sail sail; and (4) orbit control using so it takes around 20 minutes involve? Nishiura: How would you return to Earth of samples the solar sail. We have already for the radio signals to reach us. describe the atmosphere in from an asteroid. In actual fact, Nishiura: Following on from the achieved each of these objectives, Consequently, by the time we Kawaguchi: We received the team that you built for the our full-scale program for an success of Hayabusa, there has which were all world fi rsts. had received the radio signals, full cooperation from NASA, Hayabusa project? asteroid sample-return mission been a stream of good news Hayabusa was already missing. including the operation of a will start in earnest from now. about the IKAROS mission Nishiura: What kind of project It was an awful feeling. The large antenna tracking network. Kawaguchi: The commitment The Hayabusa-2 mission we and almost all of the project’s team is conducting the IKAROS other particularly memorable NASA has very large manpower of the team was extraordinary. are planning at present will goals being achieved to plan. mission? episode was in November 2009, capabilities, which have been They were united in working explore an asteroid called What are the key features of the when all four ion engines shut incredibly reassuring for us. toward the goal of getting 1999 JU3. This is a C-type IKAROS project? Kawaguchi: The IKAROS down. We successfully restarted In addition, many Australian Hayabusa successfully back to (carbonaceous) asteroid that team mainly comprises young two engines by using a “cross government personnel readily Earth, no matter what. And is thought to contain organic Kawaguchi: IKAROS— scientists and engineers. The operation” workaround whereby lent their support. When we that even meant putting their matter and hydrated minerals— launched in May 2010—is a project manager is in his mid- we paired together still-operable approached them and asked own personal circumstances on prerequisites for the formation of demonstration spacecraft for thirties, and many of the other neutralizers and thrusters from them to provide a place where the back burner, in many cases. life. Our current plan envisages solar sail technology, which members are even younger. In separate engines. The main the sample-return capsule could I am confi dent that they could a launch in 2014 and a return uses the photons in sunlight fact, the majority of the IKAROS engineer we were working with be recovered, they agreed to our outperform any other project to Earth in 2020, and includes as its source of propulsion, as team joined JAXA after the at NEC Corporation—which request saying, “This is for the team. as one of its goals the collection well as thin-fi lm solar cells May 2003 launch of Hayabusa.

4 5 JAXA TODAY No. 03 Interview with Professor Jun’ichiro Kawaguchi

In light of Hayabusa’s accomplishments, it “must place even greater expectations on its successor mission, Hayabusa-2. —Midori” Nishiura Kawaguchi: If we consider the Kawaguchi: In terms of operational and cost aspects of spacecraft development and space exploration projects, it operation, I have no doubt that is only through international Japan’s capabilities right now collaboration that we can begin are world class. In the past, the to achieve signifi cant results. United States and the former For example, training programs Soviet Union mainly focused for JAXA astronauts are carried on exploring large celestial Midori Nishiura, Executive Advisor for JAXA Public Affairs & out at the NASA Johnson Space bodies, such as the Moon and International Relations Center (JSC), and the ISS is Mars. In contrast, I think it is Photo by Hiro Arakawa operated jointly by 15 countries, very signifi cant that Japan has including Japan. In undertaking devoted much effort to exploring various project teams, we need space exploration for the benefi t smaller celestial bodies—such to develop younger personnel. of humankind, it is only natural as Itokawa—that no one had yet I want young people to forge that many countries should been to or seen up close. ahead and keep taking on new choose to cooperate in striving challenges without limiting their for this greater good. Nishiura: Please tell us about own capabilities. There can be no your ambitions for future innovation without risk. While Nishiura: How do you think projects. following my personal motto, “Do Japan’s space exploration what others don’t do,” I, too, look technology rates on a global Kawaguchi: To expand our forward to competing with these basis? pool of human resources for young people.

An artist’s rendition of IKAROS as it cruises beyond Venus into deep space after achieving full mission success with a diverse range of practical Kawaguchi: In the second half experience. of the current decade, under the Jupiter and Trojan Asteroids Profi les Nishiura: At present, IKAROS Exploration Program we plan Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo, is on course cruising toward to send an interplanetary probe in 1983. In the same year, he joined the Systems Venus. What is planned for the using a solar power sail to Research Division at ISAS as an assistant professor. spacecraft from here on? explore the area around Jupiter. In 2000 he was made a full professor. Concurrently, However, Jupiter is extremely Professor Kawaguchi is the program director of the Kawaguchi: The core objective distant from the sun, so the JAXA Space Exploration Center (JSPEC). His areas of of the IKAROS mission is not amount of solar rays reaching specialty include control systems and astrodynamics the exploration of Venus, but to Jupiter is only one twenty-fi fth (applied fl ight dynamics), and his personal motto is carry out various experiments the amount reaching Earth. “Do what others don’t do.” He is the project manager necessary for interplanetary For this reason, on the new of the asteroid explorer Hayabusa mission. Photo by Hiro Arakawa travel. From now, IKAROS will spacecraft we plan to deploy a pass close to Venus and begin a solar power sail that is much Photo by Hiro Arakawa Midori Nishiura Looking to the future, one of the continuous orbit around the sun. larger than the one being used additional goals of the IKAROS on IKAROS. Dr. Jun’ichiro Kawaguchi Midori Nishiura, an opinion leader, is president of project is to develop the skills Nishiura: Will there be a consulting fi rm Amadeus Inc., JAXA’s Executive Advisor and talents of our younger staff successor to IKAROS analogous Space exploration: Aiming for Project Manager, for Public Affairs & International Relations, and Visiting members by providing them to the Hayabusa-2 project? celestial bodies never before Program Director, Lunar and Planetary Exploration Professor of International Relations & Communications visited by other missions Program Group, JAXA Space Exploration Center (JSPEC) at Yamaguchi University. Among many other important Professor, Department of Space Systems and roles, Ms. Nishiura has served on the Advisory Board Nishiura: As was the case with Astronautics, Institute of Space and Astronautical of various major companies and also sits on committees The IKAROS project is to develop the skills the Hayabusa project, it seems Science (ISAS), JAXA organized by government ministries and agencies. that international collaboration Author of many books as well as articles in leading “and talents of our younger staff members Jun’ichiro Kawaguchi was born in Aomori, Japan, publications, Ms. Nishiura, having conducted her own is common in the fi eld of space in 1955. He completed the doctoral program at interview programs on television, is often called upon to exploration. What are the by providing them with a diverse range of the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, commentate on the news. reasons behind this? practical experience. —Jun’ichiro Kawaguchi 6 ” 7 JAXA TODAY No. 03 How many particles from Itokawa was Hayabusa able to capture?

“Origin of particles How many particles from identifi ed as Itokawa was Hayabusa Asteroid Itokawa” The announcement on November 16, 2010, Nonfi ction writer Kazuma Yamane able to capture? speaks with Professor Akio Fujimura made headlines in Japan and around the world. The origin of the large number of particles recovered from inside the sample-return capsule Hayabusa’s reentry fi reball photographed from Woomera, brought back to Earth by Hayabusa was South Australia identifi ed as Asteroid Itokawa. Hayabusa project manager Professor Jun’ichiro Kawaguchi had set success criteria for the mission covering each stage, with a maximum of 500 points if all

major milestones were achieved. Points earned under the success criteria— Dr. Akio Fujimura awarded for eight milestones from the commencement of operation of the Professor, Department of Planetary Science, spacecraft’s ion engines to obtaining a sample for analysis—had been Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) stalled on 400 points since the return capsule was successfully recovered Professor, Lunar and Planetary Exploration on June 13, 2010. However, with this announcement the mission has Program Group, JAXA Space Exploration Center (JSPEC) achieved the maximum of 500 points. After a marathon journey, Hayabusa has taken full honors at the fi nishing line. What the fi eld emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) had identifi ed were approximately 1,500 minute particles, each measuring Special spatula used to remove particles from the sample less than 0.01 millimeter. On November 29, 2010, there was a further catcher chamber announcement that several hundred more particles, which could be observed through an optical microscope, had also been identifi ed, and “This is the sample catcher these larger particles had a maximum size of 0.1 millimeter. This remarkable chamber that contained particles from Itokawa. The particles accomplishment is the fi rst time that humankind has obtained a sample were scraped from the interior from a celestial body beyond the Moon, and there are high expectations of the chamber using a specially that the sample will unlock a treasure trove of groundbreaking discoveries designed Tefl on spatula and then as scientists from Japan and overseas analyze the sample to unravel such observed using an FE-SEM.” (Professor Fujimura) mysteries as the origin of the Solar System and the beginnings of life. After putting on surgical The Hayabusa sample-return capsule, recovered from the Woomera gloves, Professor Fujimura Prohibited Area (WPA) in Australia’s outback on June 14, 2010, was taken picked up and showed me a to the planetary sample curation facility at the ISAS Sagamihara Campus replica of the sample catcher. in Kanagawa Prefecture in the early hours of June 18, 2010. Subsequently, Looking at the overall structure of Hayabusa’s sample-capsule, the sample was removed from the capsule and the initial analysis and one may use the analogy of a classifi cation database entry was carried out. The curation facility truck and its payload. In this comprises a clean room facility on par with those used at state-of-the- case, the heat shield—scorched art semiconductor fabrication plants and will be utilized in the distribution from its fi ery reentry—would be the truck and the capsule would of portions of the sample to researchers from Japan and abroad. The be the truck’s rear deck. The sample—and information relating to it—is being managed very stringently, particles collected from Itokawa hence details on how the particles were discovered has remained under are stored in the sample catcher wraps. To shed further light on this process, we spoke to Professor Akio chamber, which is inside a larger sample container—analogous to Fujimura (ISAS Planetary Science Group), manager of the curation facility, the shipping container carried on who provided background explanations on how the capsule contents were the deck of the truck. being recovered. Since the main mission of the Hayabusa project was said to be

8 9 JAXA TODAY No. 03 How many particles from Itokawa was Hayabusa able to capture?

the collection and return of rocky Tefl on into the surface of the body needed to be strong, we Since the head of the spatula grains had fallen out.” (Professor Cheered on by NASA personnel fragments from Itokawa, I had oxide layer-treated Duralumin fabricated it from Duralumin is only about fi ve millimeters Fujimura) assumed that the chamber to (aluminum alloy).” (Professor and used stainless steel screws. wide, the end and side have an The researchers hope that an Professor Fujimura personally hold the sample would be quite Fujimura) However, the interior has a edge similar to a knife blade. By even larger amount of sample led the team that conducted the large. However, the cylindrical Before the second sample vapor-deposited coating of pure gently rubbing the spatula along material will be recovered from painstaking fi ve-month process sample catcher carefully handled was taken, the small, slitted aluminum. The reason behind the interior walls of the sample the as-yet unopened sample- of examining each particle— by Professor Fujimura using cylinder was rotated so that the this was that even if there was catcher chamber, the researchers catcher B chamber. There is invisible to the naked eye—one surgical gloves was only about second sample was sent into some mingling of Earth-origin hoped that particles invisible also the possibility that loose by one. The procedures were fi ve centimeters in diameter the sample catcher’s A chamber materials with the sample, we to the human eye would sink particles may be present in the carried out inside a clean room and six centimeters tall. It on the opposite side. Chamber wanted to try and limit the into and adhere to the Tefl on. capsule—those that never made that completely shuts out all was surprisingly small and A is near to the catcher’s lid quantity and types (elements) of They then checked the head of it as far as the sample-catcher dust by using three levels of light—maybe about the size of a while chamber B is near to such materials to the smallest the spatula using an FE-SEM. chamber. The process for fi nding anti-contamination protection. whisky shot glass. But outward the base. The capacity of each numbers possible.” (Professor Through this process, the team such particles has yet to be Professor Fujikawa and his team appearances can be deceptive— of the A and B chambers is Fujimura) was able to verify more than carried out. felt great jubilation at fi nding its structure was in fact highly probably similar to a small salt In the clean room within the 1,500 particles. Particles recovered in the so many particles and verifying complex. shaker. The modest size of the curation facility, when the ISAS However, along with the manner described above are their origin as Itokawa. NASA On the side of the cylindrical sample containers indicates how researchers fi rst opened up the sample particles, the team sorted and classifi ed by placing curators and scientists following sample catcher there is a central, extremely small the estimated sample catcher, they couldn’t also found approximately them on an artifi cial quartz the progress of the operations round aperture. When Hayabusa sample would be. see anything that looked like a 1,800 aluminum particles glass slide measuring 26mm also showed their delight with touched down on Itokawa, this “Yes, we estimated that the sample at all. All they saw was intermingled. These particles x 40mm, with a thickness of the results by exclaiming, aperture was facing downward. sample would comprise grains the very shiny vapor-deposited had detached from the vapor- 1mm. On the surface of the glass “Excellent!” on hearing the news. Extending out from the aperture up to the size of common sugar aluminum coating. deposited aluminum coating slide is a laser-etched grid at For Professor Fujimura, was the sampler horn, the end granules and would total 1–2 “It was so clean, the research used on the chamber’s interior 1.5-millimeter intervals with who began his scientifi c career of which touched the surface of grams.” (Professor Fujimura) team were rather disappointed.” walls. This amount was very numbered coordinates assigned. researching rocks exposed to Itokawa. Some of the asteroid Although the sample— (Professor Fujimura) small and well within the range At each grid intersection a high temperature and high fragments propelled up into the comprising more than 1,500 Despite this, the researchers the team had anticipated. It was tiny hollow has been carved, pressure deep inside the Earth’s horn entered the sample catcher particles measuring under one assumed that there were tiny not surprising that it had taken and each of the particles are mantle and then moved to through the aperture. On the hundredth of a millimeter and a particles in there that could quite a long time to observe individually placed in one of specialize in planetary science, inside of the aperture, there is a further several dozen grains of not be seen with the naked eye. and analyze each particle these hollows. The particles as well as for many people smaller cylinder that has a slit in up to one tenth of a millimeter— To scrape such particles out of individually using the FE-SEM. adhere to the glass slide throughout Japan, the results it, and the sample was sent into was slightly smaller than the the chamber, the ISAS team surface through the force of from the Hayabusa capsule were the sample catcher’s B chamber. envisaged amount, it is still a commissioned an FE-SEM Hopes that further particles static electricity, so there is no the conclusion of a long wait. At “We made the revolving great accomplishment. manufacturer (Hitachi, Ltd.) to will be found in the sample risk of them falling off. After last there was confi rmation that part slippery by interfusing “Since the sample catcher produce a special Tefl on spatula. containers this sorting and classifi cation a major scientifi c breakthrough process has been completed, had been achieved—for the fi rst On November 29, 2010, JAXA the particles will be distributed time humankind had obtained Structure of the capsule that protected the Itokawa sample during its return journey announced that it had found to the Initial Analysis Team material from a celestial body several hundred larger particles comprising researchers from much farther away than the Jan. 18, 2007 measuring up to 0.1 millimeter. universities around Japan. Moon. Closure of capsule lid Sample catcher It was reported that the grains Jun. 13, 2010 Particles observed using an Atmospheric reentry had fallen out after tapping on optical microscope Jun. 20, 2010 Heat shield bodySample containerChamberChamber B A Heat shield backplate the container, but this tapping Opening of sample container was not by any means done on a whim. To examine the sample catcher’s B chamber on the opposite side, whose lid was still closed, it was necessary to turn Rocky particles whose origin was identifi ed as being the sample catcher upside down. Asteroid Itokawa “While placing an artifi cial quartz platter over the sample catcher’s A chamber aperture, Artifact OlivineArtifact Pyroxene Nov. 20, 2005 we lightly tapped the container (Aluminum particle) (Aluminum particle) 1st touchdown (Chamber B) Hayabusa collected samples in chambers A and B of its sample catcher during its two touchdowns on Itokawa while holding it upside down. The maximum number of Nov. 26, 2005 in November 2005. Subsequently, a leak of fuel from When we restored the sample people allowed inside the clean 2nd touchdown (Chamber A) room at any one time is 10. one of Hayabusa’s chemical engines caused a catcher to its upright position, we malfunction and the loss of all communications with the This commemorative photo- could see a faint cloudiness on graph of researchers involved Sampler horn spacecraft’s controllers for several weeks. In late January 2006, partial communications were restored. the surface of the platter. When in sample handling was taken Several months were then spent recharging Hayabusa’s we checked with a microscope, in front of the clean chamber barely operational Li-ion battery. In January 2007, the we found that unexpectedly large using a camera self-timer. capsule was successfully closed, latched, and sealed. Asteroid Itokawa 10 11 JAXA TODAY No. 03 Astronaut Soichi Noguchi’s 163 days in space

Three objectives of Astronaut Noguchi’s long-endurance space mission in space travel and space living, the practical results of this long-endurance mission would contribute to the expansion of the scope of humankind’s activities in space. The mission patch The Expedition 23 Carrying these three for ISS fl ight 21S / crew patch Soyuz TMA-17 objectives, Astronaut Noguchi lifted off from the Baikonur Astronaut Noguchi pays a courtesy visit to Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan at his offi cial residence. Astronaut Noguchi was a crew 6:52 a.m. on December 21, 2009, member of expeditions 22 and aboard Soyuz TMA-17 together 23 to the ISS, serving as a fl ight with two other crew members engineer on a long-duration from the United States and the mission. He spent 161 days on Russian Federation. Two days the ISS and a total of 163 days later, on December 23, their in space. spacecraft docked with the ISS. For Astronaut Noguchi, During his stay on the ISS, this long-endurance mission Astronaut Noguchi assembled carried three main objectives. the Small Fine Arm (SFA) of From left, JAXA Astronaut Soichi Noguchi, the JEM Remote Manipulator Roscosmos Cosmonaut Oleg Kotov, and First, Astronaut Noguchi would NASA Astronaut Timothy Creamer partici- be tasked with carrying out System (RMS), participated in pate in the offi cial ceremony held to wel- scientifi c experiments in the the day-to-day operation and come their mission back to Earth. space environment and any maintenance of the ISS, and new scientifi c discoveries or carried out a range of scientifi c knowledge resulting from these experiments that utilized the experiments would later be space environment. In April applied in various industrial 2010, Astronaut Noguchi fi elds. Second, through the and JAXA Astronaut Naoko Astronaut Soichi Noguchi’s operation of JEM (Japanese Yamazaki, who traveled to Experimental Module) Kibo— the ISS aboard Space Shuttle one of the ISS’ modules—Japan Discovery, worked together to At a post-mission briefi ng, Astronaut would acquire the international- transfer materials between Noguchi (second from left) explains an level technological capabilities the Discovery and the ISS. image of Earth he took from the ISS Cupola and know-how necessary for Astronaut Noguchi safely Module (observation dome). in space manned space fl ight missions. concluded his long-endurance A selection of photographs taken by 163 days Astronaut Noguchi, which he posted to the Third, envisaging a future where mission when he returned to Twitter micro-blogging service, are shown large numbers of people engage Earth on June 2, 2010. Aiming to contribute to the expansion of humankind’s on pages 14 and 15. space activities Mission Preparation and Progress Pre-fl ight Training

At 12:25 p.m. on June 2, 2010 (Japan Standard Time; from hereon referred to as JST), JAXA Astronaut Soichi Noguchi touched down back on Earth after completing his 163-day long- duration mission in space. In this article, we recap the main mission activities undertaken by Astronaut Noguchi during his stay on the ISS and provide background information on the signifi cance of those activities.

Astronaut Noguchi’s ©JAXA/NASA ©JAXA/NASA ©JAXA/NASA personal logo for Expedition 22/23 Conducting ISS emergency evacuation training Operating the Space Station Remote Manipulator Undertaking spacewalk—or extra-vehicular activity (EVA) ©JAXA/NASA System (SSRMS) in a simulator —training in a pool at NASA Johnson Space Center

12 13 “ Washington DC. Weather is getting better.” “ Golden rings of Moscow, Russia. “ I spy a big tower! Paris, France.” “ Flooding in east Europe. Our thoughts and “ Deforestation, Amazon River.” “ Port-au-Prince, Haiti. March 24, 2010 Happy Victory Day weekend!” April 30, 2010 prayers, and hope for the earliest recovery.” May 21, 2010 Three months after the earthquake.” April 30, 2010 May 4, 2010 April 10, 2010

“ Ponte Vasco da Gama, near Lisbon, Portugal. Theme 1 Theme 3 “ Volcano in Caribbean islands.” The longest bridge in Europe.” March 20, 2010 May 18, 2010 Thriving Cities Vulnerable Lands and Oceans Major cities where tens of millions of people work, study, and live. The view from space shows us with our own eyes the huge impact of Geography that provides people with a comfortable living environment environmental destruction and natural disasters. is a wonderful gift from the Earth.

“ Big ‘eye’ looking straight up! Mexico.” “ Bright lights, big city. Tokyo night.” “ Oil spill in Gulf of Mexico, USA.” “ Active volcano, Columbia.” March 12, 2010 April 18, 2010 May 4, 2010 April 23, 2010 A message to Planet Earth and to all the people of

the world sent by JAXA Astronaut Soichi Noguchi ©JAXA/NASA

“ My favorite 14th moon.” Theme 2 Theme 4 “ Mt. Fuji, Japan. April 28, 2010 On the morning of my 100th day in orbit :-)” Multicolored Space A Planet of Water, Snow, and Ice March 30, 2010 A three-colored moon, Venus rising from a blue sunset, the magical Water seems to take on myriad forms all over the Earth as it nurtures yellow light band of aurora borealis. Space has many colorful faces. a rich array of life forms.

“ Venus and sunset.” “ Blue moon sets into blue planet. “ Big iceberg! The ‘calculated’ “ Glacier lake in Southern Patagonia. See the February 26, 2010 My 100th ‘night’ in space!” actual size is fi ve miles wide!!! Indian Ocean.” color difference between the two lakes.” March 29, 2010 March 5, 2010 March 4, 2010

Astronaut Noguchi used part of his free time to take photographs of the Earth and send these images along with messages to his many followers on the micro-blogging service Twitter. We have selected a sample of these photographs and arranged them into four themes.

“ Aurora. Northern Europe.” “ View of the round earth from Cupola.” “ Moon tonight. Sleep well!” “ Chatham Islands, New Zealand.” “ Aral Sea, melting ice.” “ Sahara. Desert is beautiful!” March 9, 2010 April 25, 2010 March 26, 2010 April 24, 2010 March 20, 2010 March 17, 2010

14 15 JAXA TODAY No. 03 Astronaut Soichi Noguchi’s 163 days in space

Completing the basic A diverse array of Theme1: functions of JEM Kibo Theme2: scientifi c experiments

Experimental Logistics Module in the airlock is equalized with convection mechanism (the instrument. The experiment -Pressurized Section (ELM-PS) the pressure in the area to content of this experiment differs was temporarily suspended and

JEM Remote be entered before the hatch is slightly from the experiment from January 13 to 15, 2010, JEM Airlock Manipulator System (JEMRMS) opened. The airlock on JEM introduced on page 23, titled Astronaut Noguchi carried out Kibo is used exclusively for “Chaos, Turbulence and its on-orbit repairs. Although this the passage of materials and Transition Process in Marangoni diffi cult operation required the equipment. Convection”). application of polyvinyl acetate In March 2010, Astronaut (PVA) glue to a tiny 50μm gap, Exposed Facility (EF) Noguchi and NASA Flight ©JAXA/NASA Elucidation of a new mechanism Astronaut Noguchi successfully Pressurized Engineer Timothy Creamer of muscular atrophy mediated completed the repair thanks to Module (PM) In the Fluid Physics Experiment Facility operated the MA to transfer (FPEF), performing repairs on appara- by ubiquitin ligase Cbl-b: close cooperation with ground the SFA from the airlock to the tus used in the “Space-time Structure in Identifying a new mechanism personnel. Subsequently, EF. After attaching the SFA Marangoni Convection” experiment whereby a muscle protein (Cbl-b) Astronaut Noguchi verifi ed that Inter-orbit Communication System (ICS) Experiment Logistics Module to the MA and testing that its mediates muscular atrophy the silicone oil was no longer -Exposed Section (ELM-ES) functions were working, the Astronaut Noguchi worked leaking and the experiment was Japan’s fi rst manned space activities facility SFA was installed on the SFA on numerous scientifi c Nanoskeleton synthesis in the resumed in late January. Stowage Equipment (SSE), experiments. microgravity environment: Assembly of the SFA for JEM September 2009, the SFA was which is part of the EF platform. Production in space of high- Kibo’s robotic arm transported to the ISS in a This operation marked the In JEM Kibo’s PM, there are performance structures at the disassembled state inside the completion of installation of all currently a large number of nano level (nanoskeleton), which JEM Kibo is equipped with a H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) JEM Kibo system equipment and experiments under way in pure could not be achieved on the robotic arm called JEMRMS, technology-demonstration meant that all basic functions of science fi elds (material science, ground which is used for such tasks spacecraft. the module were now in place. life science), applied fi elds, and in as exchanging payloads on the In January 2010, Astronaut the space medicine fi eld. During Repair of laboratory module’s Exposed Facility (EF). Noguchi and Commander his long-duration mission on the instruments The system comprises the Main Jeffrey Williams of NASA ISS, Astronaut Noguchi worked Arm (MA) and the SFA, which assembled the SFA and stowed on a total of 12 experiments that During the performance of attaches to the end effector of it in the airlock of JEM Kibo’s are being managed by JAXA. one of the abovementioned the MA, and the JEMRMS Pressurized Module (PM), ready The following is an overview of experiments, “Space-time Console, which is the system’s for its attachment to the MA. the main experiment themes. structure in Marangoni control workstation. One of the An airlock is a passageway convection,” in November 2009 tasks assigned to Astronaut that enables the movement of Space-time structure in it was found that silicone oil ©JAXA/NASA Marangoni convection: being used in the experiment Noguchi was the assembly of people and materials between Performing repairs on apparatus used in ©JAXA/NASA the SFA (Small Fine Arm) and two environments of differing Acquisition of basic data with the was leaking from a gap between the Marangoni convection experiments in its attachment to the MA. In air pressure. The air pressure Assembly of the SFA aim of elucidating the Marangoni components in a laboratory JEM Kibo’s Pressurized Module (PM)

Flight Day 1 Flight Day 3 Flight Day 3 Flight Day 6 Flight Day 9

©JAXA/NASA/Victor Zelentsov ©JAXA/NASA/Bill Ingalls ©JAXA/NASA ©JAXA/NASA ©JAXA/NASA ©JAXA/NASA

Noguchi, Kotov, and Creamer enter Soyuz The liftoff of Soyuz TMA-17 Soyuz TMA-17 (ISS fl ight 21S) approaches the ISS. Astronaut Noguchi enters the ISS through the hatch Cleaning duties in JEM Kibo’s PM In JEM Kibo’s PM, working on the Minus Eighty Degree TMA-17 for fi nal pre-launch checks. of TMA-17. Celsius Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI)

16 17 JAXA TODAY No. 03 Astronaut Soichi Noguchi’s 163 days in space

Life Publicity programs designed to bring space Theme Theme 3: in space 4: closer to our everyday lives on Earth

Space living that emphasizes crew members’ two-hour daily Astronaut Noguchi participated in the following public relations (PR) events during his long-endurance daily routines routine of physical training uses a mission on the ISS. variety of exercise machines and What kind of daily lives do equipment for aerobic exercise Communication session with certain laws of physics, including Communication System (ICS) astronauts lead on the ISS, which and strength training, which are then Prime Minister Mr. Yukio conservation of momentum and between JEM Kibo and the is not only their workplace but essential for preventing the loss of Hatoyama (January 7, 2010) action and reaction. The former JAXA Tsukuba Space Center also their “home in space”? The muscle strength and bone mass. experiment involved the collision (TKSC). ISS crew—including Astronaut At the Prime Minister’s offi cial of rolls of packing tape while the Noguchi during his mission—lead Astronauts relax in their ©JAXA/NASA residence, under the guidance latter experiment utilized bags of JAXA Astronaut Satoshi of water. The session in May a regular daily routine based on personal quarters Using the Advanced Resistive Exercise Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) Device (ARED) during a physical workout Furukawa, then Prime Minister demonstrated the mechanism and organized according to a Previously, only meals produced Mr. Yukio Hatoyama, then of rocket propulsion using highly structured schedule. The in the United States and Russia Minister of Education, Culture, rubber gloves and explained were sent to the ISS. However, personal quarters, in addition Sports, Science and Technology Bernoulli's principle—one of the in 2008, the menu was expanded to a warning and alarm system, Mr. Tatsuo Kawabata, and fundamentals on which aircraft A typical weekday activity schedule to include Japanese-made space an air-conditioning unit and pupils from Hamasuga fl ight is based— using a food followed by Astronaut Noguchi aboard meals, so that astronauts may sleeping bag, astronauts Elementary School in Chigasaki, container. Astronaut Noguchi the ISS now enjoy such items as green also have their own personal Kanagawa Astronaut Noguchi’s used a wide variety of equipment ©JAXA Sleep tea, pork curry, and ramen computer. Astronaut Noguchi former school participated in found inside the ISS to explain Then Prime Minister Mr. Hatoyama asks Breakfast (1 hour) a 25-minute communication some of the basic principles of Astronaut Noguchi about his stay on the ISS. Face wash, etc. noodles. used the Sleep Station installed (30 minutes) In the area of personal within JEM Kibo’s PM as his session with Astronaut Noguchi. physics in easy-to-understand Planning conference with mission control (2 hours) hygiene, although there is personal quarters, attaching his terms. no shower aboard the ISS, nameplate to the door during his Fun space experiments (March Mission tasks (total: approximately astronauts receive such supplies stay. 6 and May 2, 2010) Real-time communication 8 hours) as soap, shampoo, razor blades, Although Astronaut Noguchi event (May 5, 2010) Lunch (1.5 hours) and toothbrushes, and they can used part of his free time on Utilizing the ISS’ microgravity even cut their hair with electric this mission to pursue Zen environment, during two JAXA held an educational event Mission tasks clippers, which are equipped Buddhism-inspired “space sessions in March and May 2010, in which students chosen from ©JAXA/NASA with a suction device to catch the meditation” for the fi rst time, Astronaut Noguchi participated locations throughout Japan were Physical exercise in a video project called “Fun given the opportunity to put The law of action and reaction: A water (2 hours) clippings. he found that it was diffi cult to Each crew member is remain in a still position owing Space Experiments,” which aims questions directly to Astronaut bag (approximately 45 liters) with a cord Dinner (1 hour) assigned his or her own to the microgravity environment, to provide educational materials Noguchi. The question and attached is stopped stationary in midair. Free time (1 hour) for use in school classrooms. answer session utilized a real- Astronaut Noguchi pulls on the cord to personal quarters for sleeping, which resulted in his fl oating draw the bag closer. Whereupon, not only Sleep getting dressed and spending about inside JEM Kibo and The session in March included time linkup provided through is the bag drawn toward Noguchi, but (approximately 7 hours) their allotted free time. In the sometimes banging into objects. experiments to demonstrate Japan’s independent Inter-Orbit Noguchi moves also, pulled by the bag.

Flight Day 39 Flight Day 59 Flight Day 115 Flight Day 148 Flight Day 163 Flight Day 163

©JAXA/NASA ©JAXA/NASA/Bill Ingalls ©JAXA/NASA ©JAXA/NASA JAXA/NASA/Bill Ingalls JAXA/NASA/Bill Ingalls

In Columbus, the European Space Agency’s President Obama talks to the ISS crew A group photo of the Space Shuttle Discovery STS-131 Working in the Unity module (Node 1) The Soyuz TMA-17 spacecraft approaches touchdown near Immediately after landing (ESA) science laboratory module, performing (photographed at the White House). crew and Expedition 23 crew in JEM Kibo the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, on June 2, 2010. work related to ESA experiments 18 19 JAXA TODAY No. 03 Expanding the frontiers of scientifi c discovery aboard the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Kibo

Expanding the frontiers of scientifi c Aiming for the development of therapeutic drugs for discovery aboard the Japanese 1 Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) High Quality Protein Crystallization Research (HQPC) Experiment Module (JEM) Kibo Experiment period: February–June 2010 Principal investigator: Dr. Yoshihiro URADE, Osaka Bioscience Institute

Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Kibo 1. Objective structure of the binding site of the compounds One of the objectives of HQPC is to contribute to the protein. These compounds will become to the development of pharmaceutical drugs therapeutic drug candidates for use with that will be effective by binding onto disease- DMD patients. related proteins. The structure through which the drug and protein bind is analogous to 3. Principal results and future prospects the relationship between a key and keyhole. At present, based on the results of this ex- If we understand the detail of the keyhole periment, we are pursuing the development (protein), we will be able to develop a key of therapeutic drugs in collaboration with (drug) to fi t it. We are carrying out research a pharmaceutical company. In Japan, ow- relating to therapeutic treatments for DMD, ing to the relatively small number of DMD which causes muscle wasting and loss of patients—approximately 3,000 people—the muscle strength. As a part of this research, I development of such a drug is extremely conducted space experiments with the aim of diffi cult from a commercial perspective. synthesizing compounds to inhibit the action Particularly in such cases as this—in the of a protein called prostaglandin D synthase, fi eld of orphan drugs (drugs to treat rare which has been found to aggravate the mus- disorders)—I believe that the involvement cular infl ammation in DMD patients. of a publicly funded agency such as JAXA is very signifi cant. 2. Method In the microgravity environment of space, it is possible to grow higher-quality protein crystals than on Earth. We analyzed the high-quality crystals of prostaglandin D syn- thase grown in the Protein Crystallization Research Facility (PCRF) and synthesized compounds that would bind with the cata- The illustration above provides a graphical representation of lytic site of prostaglandin D synthase. We how muscle atrophy (shown in red) is reduced by the treat- were able to identify the detail of the bind- ment with a synthesized compound, which is a therapeutic ing mechanism and the three-dimensional drug candidate for DMD patients.

Investigating the effects of cosmic radiation on human health with the aim of making safe long stays in space 2 possible

The Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Kibo is one of the modules attached Gene Expression of p53-regulated Genes in Mammalian Cultured Cells after to the International Space Station (ISS). As Japan’s fi rst manned experiment Exposure to Space Environment (Rad Gene) facility in space, JEM Kibo’s assembly was completed in July 2009. Utilizing Experiment period: February 2009 the unique characteristics of its space environment—including microgravity, Principal investigator: Takeo OHNISHI, Special Chair in Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, Nara Medical University high vacuum, expansive fi eld of vision, cosmic radiation, and abundant solar energy—experiments covering a diverse range of scientifi c fi elds are conducted 1. Objective p53 molecule—a product of the tumor sup- aboard JEM Kibo’s Pressurized Module (PM). In this article, four principal When humans are exposed to cosmic radia- pressor p53 gene—repairs DNA damage or tion, damage occurs to cellular DNA, which eliminates mutated cells through apoptosis. investigators introduce their respective experiment projects. can sometimes lead to carcinogenesis. The It is also a key enzyme from the point of view

20 21 JAXA TODAY No. 03 Expanding the frontiers of scientifi c discovery aboard the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Kibo

of cancer research. In this experiment, we radiation that caused the DNA damage as ment, the foliage pointed upward. In addi- took living human lymphoblastoid into the a biological dosimetry. These results will be tion, in the microgravity compartment, the space environment and observed how the p53 useful in the future—for example, in the case timing of the aging represented by the change gene functions. of manned missions to Mars—in devising in leaf color from green to brown was delayed, ways to protect astronauts from the harmful suggesting that ethylene—a plant hormone— 2. Method effects of cosmic radiation, thereby making it is involved in the delay of aging. If humans Four frozen lymphoblastoid samples were possible for humans to spend long periods of were to live in space in the future, they would taken into Kibo’s Cell Biology Experiment time in space safely. have to rely on plants both as a food source Facility (CBEF), and after thawing, two sam- and for environmental maintenance. The ples were cultured in each of the microgravity data obtained by this experiment are likely compartment and the 1G compartment (in to contribute to a basic set of data for plant which the Earth’s gravity is simulated using cultivation in space. Arabidopsis thaliana plants growing in the microgravity centrifugal force) for approximately one week. compartment (left) and the 1G compartment (right) In each gravity environment, one sample © University of Toyama / JAXA comprised cells with normal p53 genes while the other sample comprised cells with abnor- mal (mutant) p53 genes. By comparing the Elucidating the mechanisms that govern the oscillatory two pairs of samples, we were able to isolate Marangoni fl ow with a view to contributing to the fi elds the effects of cosmic radiation and also the ef- 4 of material science and semiconductor crystal growth fects of microgravity on the p53 gene expres- sion by use of DNA arrays. After the culture process was completed, the cells were frozen Chaos, Turbulence and its Transition Process in Marangoni Convection again and brought back to Earth. (Marangoni Experiment in Space / MEIS) 3. Principal results and future prospects Experiment period: Experiments conducted in fi ve series from MEIS-1to MEIS-5 DNA damaged by cosmic radiation. The cell nuclei are dyed This experiment achieved a world fi rst by dark blue and the DNA double strand breaks are dyed pale MEIS-1: August–October 2008 MEIS-2: July–August 2009 successfully providing a visualization of the blue. The white line in Figure a indicates the direction of MEIS-3: October 26–December 22, 2010 DNA damage caused by cosmic radiation. In cosmic radiation. Figure b is an enlargement of the indicated MEIS-4: September 2011 (planned) MEIS-5: To be confi rmed addition, we measured the amount of cosmic portion of Figure a. Principal investigator: Koichi NISHINO, Professor, Faculty of Engineering, Yokohama National University (YNU)

1. Objective of the characteristics of oscillatory Marangoni Marangoni convection, which arises due to convection in this liquid bridge. In MEIS-2, Deciphering plant life cycles in space differences in the surface tension along gas- we carried out more sophisticated measure- 3 liquid interfaces, occurs in various industrial ments of the evolution of fl ow patterns and fi elds, such as semiconductor crystal growth the surface velocity in the liquid bridge. and heat pipes used for heat dissipation in Life Cycle of Higher Plants under Microgravity Conditions (Space Seed) computers. Marangoni convection can af- 3. Principal results and future prospects Experiment period: September–November 2009 fect the quality of silicon crystals and heat- In MEIS-3, which commenced in October dissipation performance. The objective of this 2010, we will create a liquid bridge that has Principal investigator: Seiichiro KAMISAKA, Visiting Professor, Graduate School of Science and experiment was to clarify the conditions for a 50mm diameter and observe the effects of Engineering, University of Toyama; Professor Emeritus, Osaka City University the onset of oscillatory Marangoni convection. silicon oil viscosity on Marangoni convection. On the ground, it is diffi cult to observe the We will further elucidate the properties of 1. Objective next generation. For this reason, it is an ex- effects of Marangoni convection since they Marangoni convection and we hope that this In the space environment lacking gravity, periment that could only be carried out on the are masked by the stronger effects of thermal research will contribute signifi cantly to in- we grew plants over a complete life cycle— ISS where long-duration missions are possi- convection (buoyancy convection) caused by creased sophistication in semiconductor including seed germination, leaf and stalk ble. Eight PEUs were taken into Kibo’s CBEF gravity. For this reason, it is useful to con- crystal growth and heat-pipe design. growth, pollination, embryogenesis, and (Cell Biology Experiment Facility), with four duct experiments in space in a microgravity seed formation—and investigated whether PEUs each placed in the microgravity com- environment. or not we could produce next-generation partment and 1G compartment. The plant seeds. life cycle was then monitored remotely by our 2. Method experiment team back on Earth. We selected silicon oil as a working liquid 2. Method and conducted MEIS-1 and MEIS-2 in the We grew Arabidopsis thaliana (thale cress) 3. Principal results and future prospects Fluid Physics Experiment Facility (FPEF) inside plastic chambers within Japanese We observed that the foliage patterns dif- aboard Kibo. In MEIS-1, we successfully gen- Plant Experiment Units (PEUs). Although fered between the two compartments. In the erated a large silicon-oil bridge between two thale cress has a relatively short life cycle, 1G artifi cial gravity compartment, the foli- disks heated differentially. This liquid bridge it still takes about two months from seed age spread out radially at the bottom of the measured 30mm in diameter and 60mm in germination to the seed formation of the chamber, while in the microgravity compart- A liquid bridge of silicon oil formed between two disks of length—much larger than would be possible differing temperature on the ground. We made various observations © JAXA/YNU 22 23 JAXA TODAY No. 03 JAXA’s frontier JAXA’s frontier

Their Majesties the Emperor in water management and conservation issues, and they were given explanations and Empress view the Hayabusa capsule relating to the use of satellite technology to monitor and manage water resources. They also viewed a protofl ight model* (PFM) of GCOM-W1, a satellite currently being assembled whose mission will be to provide observation data on changes in On August 1, 2010, Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress visited the Tsukuba the Earth’s water cycle. In the Control Room for the Japanese Experiment Module Space Center to view the capsule returned to Earth by the asteroid explorer (JEM) Kibo, a module of the International Space Station (ISS), the Crown Prince Hayabusa. While viewing the actual heat shield used in Hayabusa and other exhib- and Prince Willem-Alexander received an explanation from JAXA Astronaut Chiaki its, Their Majesties asked questions and followed with keen interest explanations Mukai about facilities used on the ISS, including the water-recycling system. provided by project manager Professor Jun’ichiro Kawaguchi about the Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress capsule and other aspects of the mission. The Crown Prince and Prince Willem- receive explanations about Hayabusa * A protofl ight model is tested to confi rm that there are no problems in the satel- Alexander receive an explanation from from project manager Professor Jun’ichiro lite’s design and that its workmanship meets the quality requirements of a Astronaut Chiaki Mukai. Kawaguchi. fl ight model. The protofl ight model subsequently becomes the fl ight model © The Yomiuri Shimbun © Ibaraki Prefecture JAXA astronauts Soichi Noguchi and is launched. and Naoko Yamazaki attend Autumn Garden Party given by Their Majesties the Emperor and International Academy of Empress Astronautics (IAA) marks 50th an- niversary by holding Heads of On the occasion of the Autumn Garden Party given Space Agencies Summit by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress at the Akasaka Imperial Gardens in Tokyo on October 28, On November 17, 2010, the IAA hosted a landmark 2010, JAXA Astronauts Soichi Noguchi and Naoko Heads of Space Agencies Summit on the occasion Astronaut Soichi Noguchi (right) and Yamazaki were among the invited guests. Astronaut of its 50th anniversary in Washington, D.C., gathering President Keiji Tachikawa (far right hand Astronaut Naoko Yamazaki (wearing a light Yamazaki smiled as she spoke to His Majesty the together over 500 participants, comprising academicians, side) gives a speech to the summit, blue kimono) chat with His Majesty the world leaders, and experts. The summit brought together including a report of the results of the Emperor at the Autumn Garden Party. Emperor, saying “It was truly a pleasure to successfully Hayabusa mission. © The Imperial Household Agency complete my mission thanks to the support of everyone in 30 heads of space agencies from around the world, provid- Japan.” ing an opportunity to affi rm the importance of close global collaboration in such areas as human spacefl ight, planetary robotic exploration, disaster management and climate change. Each 61st International Astronautical Congress space agency leader spoke at the summit, and when JAXA President (IAC) held in Prague Keiji Tachikawa mentioned the success of Hayabusa in returning a sample of particles confi rmed to be from Asteroid Itokawa there was applause from all of the agency heads and the audience. The 61st IAC was held in Prague, the Czech Republic, from September 27 to October 1, 2010. At the opening ceremony, International Astronautical Federation (IAF) President Berndt Feuerbacher introduced the return of Hayabusa as the lead- ing space development accomplishment of 2010 and also mentioned the success Melbourne, Australia, hosts the 17th Session of President Tachikawa (at the lectern on the of IKAROS. JAXA President Keiji Tachikawa participated in the Heads of Agency the Asia-Pacifi c Regional Space Agency Forum far right hand side) reports on JAXA’s current programs. (HOA) plenary, reporting on such developments as the successful launches of (APRSAF-17) Quasi-Zenith Satellite-1 (Michibiki). JAXA’s exhibition booth attracted a large num- ber of visitors and featured a well-received video presentation about the Hayabusa The 17th Session of the Asia-Pacifi c Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF-17) sample-return capsule. was held in Melbourne, Australia, November 23–26, 2010. The meeting attracted more than 200 participants, who were mainly drawn from various governmental and space agencies in the Asia-Pacifi c region. APRSAF-17 adopted the theme of His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince and His “the role of space technology and industry in addressing climate change,” which Royal Highness Prince Willem-Alexander of the formed the basis for vigorous discussions. With regard to addressing climate Netherlands visit the Tsukuba Space Center change, the meeting included presentations introducing JAXA’s programs in the APRSAF-17 participants representing space fi eld of climate change observation as well as case studies utilizing satellite obser- agencies and other organizations from across the Asia-Pacifi c region vation data. On September 14, 2010, His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal APRSAF offi cial website Highness Prince Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands visited the Tsukuba Space http://www.aprsaf.org/ JAXA’s exhibition booth at the IAC, which Center. The Crown Prince and Prince Willem-Alexander share a particular interest drew approximately 1,500 visitors

24 25 The Earth Seen from Space

The Sun emerging from behind the Earth—photographed Humankind greets by Astronaut Soichi Noguchi through the ISS Cupola— sparkles like a diamond ring. It is hoped that analysis of the particles brought back from Asteroid Itokawa a new dawn of will help elucidate the origins and evolution of the Solar System. Thus, humankind’s space exploration has space exploration. reached a new dawn.

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