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

1−7 Interview with Professor Jun’ichiro Welcome to JAXA TODAY 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 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 future of space exploration. exploration, participation in the International Space Station (ISS) project, and the development of new rockets and next-generation 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 was Hayabusa able to capture? as wide an audience as possible, we launched JAXA TODAY in January 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 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 mission on the International Space Station (ISS). Hayabusa Our Hayabusa 20-23 Expanding the frontiers of scientifi c Incinerating itself 「はやぶさ」 の discovery aboard the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Kibo On its return A blazing ball of fi re Four principal investigators introduce their respective scien- Luminous and brilliant. tifi c experiments currently being

conducted on JEM Kibo, one of the ISS’ modules.

24-25 JAXA’s frontier Source: The Imperial Household Agency A roundup of JAXA’s recent activities Cover Story Professor Jun’ichiro Kawaguchi is the manager of the Hayabusa project, which achieved a major breakthrough by becoming the fi rst space mission in history to return to Earth a sample of material from a celestial body other than the Moon or a comet. For this photograph, taken on November 15, 2010, Professor Kawaguchi posed in front of a full-scale model of Hayabusa.

Photo by Hiro Arakawa Interview with the professor Jun’ichiro Kawaguchi

Interviewed by Midori Nishiura,

Executive Advisor for JAXA Public Affairs & International Relations

Hayabusa project manager Professor Jun’ichiro Kawaguchi discusses the Hayabusa and IKAROS missions and also provides his views on the importance of space exploration. He emphasizes that all his efforts are focused on achieving for the benefi t of humankind.

After a space voyage spanning more than seven years Editor’s note regarding the timing of this interview and six billion kilometers, the asteroid explorer Hayabusa On November 16, 2010, the day after we completed its mission with a triumphant return to Earth conducted this interview with Professor 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 Kawaguchi, including: had identifi ed the particles’ origin as • The numerous challenges the Hayabusa mission Asteroid Itokawa. This announcement— which vindicated Professor Kawaguchi’s overcame on the way to its historic accomplishments; strong conviction that “there is almost • The ongoing steady progress of IKAROS, the Small certainly a sample in there”—disclosed that 1,500 asteroid particles had been Solar Power Sail Demonstrator; and found inside the container. • JAXA’s approach to space exploration.

Photo by Hiro Arakawa 1 JAXA TODAY No. 03

Photo by Hiro Arakawa

Hayabusa: Passing on Kawaguchi: Thank you very Kawaguchi: When the spacecraft cutting-edge technology to much. Hayabusa’s success is made its reentry, I didn’t stay “Hayabusa-2” truly the result of the fortitude in the control room. I went back and perseverance of the entire to my offi ce to watch it alone. Nishiura: Congratulations on the project team. I would like to I wasn’t confi dent that I could successful return of Hayabusa. take this opportunity to express maintain my composure while This spacecraft has really my heartfelt gratitude to watching the monitor in front of captured the imagination and everyone who has supported both all my staff. hearts of the Japanese people Hayabusa and JAXA. and established its place in Nishiura: Please tell us how you popular culture. Hayabusa Nishiura: When Hayabusa felt the following day, June 14, books and DVDs are at the top returned on June 13, 2010, the when the return capsule was of the bestseller lists and it was feelings of elation—that your recovered. even one of the biggest topics “baby” had fi nally come home— on the micro-blogging site must have been tempered by Kawaguchi: More than . the harsh reality of atmospheric jubilation, my foremost emotion reentry. was one of astonishment.

2 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. —Jun’ichiro Kawaguchi”

The main reason being that the Kawaguchi: The Hayabusa for future missions that aim to capsule had landed a mere 500m mission was used to verify gather and return samples from from the planned drop zone. We the following major new other bodies in the Solar System. were also very lucky in that we technologies: (1) ion engines spotted the capsule very quickly that provided electric-powered Nishiura: Hayabusa faced from the Royal Australian Air propulsion through the ionization many crises during its mission, helicopter. Originally, we of xenon gas; (2) an autonomous but each time it managed thought the recovery might take optical navigation system that to pull through. The mission about two weeks. enabled Hayabusa to approach contained so many dramatic and touch down on Asteroid twists and turns that it reads Nishiura: Hayabusa provided Itokawa; (3) sample collection on like the plot for a blockbuster the opportunity for a practical Itokawa; (4) an Earth swing-by movie! Are there any particular demonstration of a wide array using Earth gravity assist; and episodes that stand out for you of new technologies. Can you (5) the recovery of a sample- personally? briefl y outline the key new return capsule made from technologies you used? heat-resistant materials. These Kawaguchi: In December 2005, technologies will be essential shortly after Hayabusa made

3 JAXA TODAY No. 03

Photo by Hiro Arakawa

Professor Kawaguchi with a model of IKAROS at a recent exhibition

two touchdowns on Itokawa, developed the ion engines— benefi t of humankind.” Rather we lost all communication with suggested we try running a than simply pursuing their the spacecraft. At that point, I bypass circuit to effect cross own national interests, those thought, “Is this the end?” The operation. It really was an people overseas who gave their radio signals we were receiving ingenious . cooperation always considered in the Control Room got weaker how they could contribute to and weaker, and we could tell Nishiura: For the Hayabusa progress for all humankind. that it was slipping further away project, you cooperated with This generosity of spirit was from us. Itokawa is about three both NASA and the Australian very inspiring. billion kilometers from Earth, government. What did this so it takes around 20 minutes involve? Nishiura: How would you for the radio signals to reach us. describe the atmosphere in Consequently, by the time we Kawaguchi: We received the team that you built for the had received the radio signals, full cooperation from NASA, Hayabusa project? Hayabusa was already missing. including the operation of a It was an awful feeling. The large antenna tracking network. Kawaguchi: The commitment other particularly memorable NASA has very large manpower of the team was extraordinary. episode was in November 2009, capabilities, which have been They were united in working when all four ion engines shut incredibly reassuring for us. toward the goal of getting down. We successfully restarted In addition, many Australian Hayabusa successfully back to two engines by using a “cross government personnel readily Earth, no matter what. And operation” workaround whereby lent their support. When we that even meant putting their we paired together still-operable approached them and asked own personal circumstances on neutralizers and thrusters from them to provide a place where the back burner, in many cases. separate engines. The main the sample-return capsule could I am confi dent that they could engineer we were working with be recovered, they agreed to our outperform any other project at NEC Corporation—which request saying, “This is for the team.

4 Interview with Professor Jun’ichiro Kawaguchi

Professor Kawaguchi in his offi ce and with members of his team

Nishiura: In light of Hayabusa’s of a sub-surface sample from that are embedded into the sail accomplishments, it must place the asteroid, something that membrane. This solar power sail even greater expectations Hayabusa was unable to achieve. is an original Japanese concept, on its successor mission, We would be honored to receive and the planned objectives of Hayabusa-2? again the enthusiastic support of the mission were: (1) deployment people in Japan and overseas. of the sail; (2) generation of Kawaguchi: Hayabusa was electricity using the solar cells; a demonstration project for (3) acceleration and deceleration a wide range of technologies IKAROS: Japan’s original solar of the spacecraft using the solar necessary in the collection and power sail sail; and (4) orbit control using return to Earth of samples the solar sail. We have already from an asteroid. In actual fact, Nishiura: Following on from the achieved each of these objectives, our full-scale program for an success of Hayabusa, there has which were all world fi rsts. asteroid sample-return mission been a stream of good news will start in earnest from now. about the IKAROS mission Nishiura: What kind of project The Hayabusa-2 mission we and almost all of the project’s team is conducting the IKAROS are planning at present will goals being achieved to plan. mission? explore an asteroid called What are the key features of the 1999 JU3. This is a C-type IKAROS project? Kawaguchi: The IKAROS (carbonaceous) asteroid that team mainly comprises young is thought to contain organic Kawaguchi: IKAROS— scientists and engineers. The matter and hydrated minerals— launched in May 2010—is a project manager is in his mid- prerequisites for the formation of demonstration spacecraft for thirties, and many of the other life. Our plan envisages solar sail technology, which members are even younger. In a launch in 2014 and a return uses the photons in sunlight fact, the majority of the IKAROS to Earth in 2020, and includes as its source of propulsion, as team joined JAXA after the as one of its goals the collection well as thin-fi lm solar cells May 2003 launch of Hayabusa.

5 JAXA TODAY No. 03

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 Nishiura: At present, IKAROS Exploration Program we plan is on course cruising toward to send an interplanetary probe Venus. What is planned for the using a solar power sail to spacecraft from here on? explore the area around Jupiter. However, Jupiter is extremely Kawaguchi: The core objective distant from the sun, so the of the IKAROS mission is not amount of solar rays reaching the exploration of Venus, but to Jupiter is only one twenty-fi fth carry out various experiments the amount reaching Earth. necessary for interplanetary For this reason, on the new 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 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. project is to develop the skills Nishiura: Will there be a and talents of our younger staff successor to IKAROS analogous Space exploration: Aiming for members by providing them to the Hayabusa-2 project? celestial bodies never before visited by other missions

Nishiura: As was the case with The IKAROS project is to develop the skills the Hayabusa project, it seems “and talents of our younger staff members that international collaboration is common in the fi eld of space by providing them with a diverse range of exploration. What are the reasons behind this? practical experience. —Jun’ichiro Kawaguchi 6 ” 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 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.

Profi les

Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo, in 1983. In the same year, he joined the Systems Research Division at ISAS as an assistant professor. In 2000 he was made a full professor. Concurrently, Professor Kawaguchi is the program director of the JAXA Space Exploration Center (JSPEC). His areas of specialty include control systems and astrodynamics (applied fl ight dynamics), and his personal motto is “Do what others don’t do.” He is the project manager of the asteroid explorer Hayabusa mission.

Photo by Hiro Arakawa Midori Nishiura

Dr. Jun’ichiro Kawaguchi Midori Nishiura, an opinion leader, is president of consulting fi rm Amadeus Inc., JAXA’s Executive Advisor Project Manager, for Public Affairs & International Relations, and Visiting Program Director, Lunar and Planetary Exploration Professor of International Relations & Communications 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 Astronautics, Institute of Space and Astronautical of various major companies and also sits on committees Science (ISAS), JAXA organized by government ministries and agencies. Author of many books as well as articles in leading Jun’ichiro Kawaguchi was born in Aomori, Japan, publications, Ms. Nishiura, having conducted her own in 1955. He completed the doctoral program at interview programs on television, is often called upon to the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, commentate on the news.

7 JAXA TODAY No. 03

How many particles from Itokawa was Hayabusa Nonfi ction writer Kazuma Yamane able to capture? speaks with Professor Akio Fujimura

8 How many particles from Itokawa was Hayabusa able to capture?

“Origin of particles identifi ed as Asteroid Itokawa”

The announcement on November 16, 2010, 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

9 JAXA TODAY No. 03

the collection and return of rocky Tefl on into the surface of the body needed to be strong, we fragments from Itokawa, I had oxide layer-treated Duralumin fabricated it from Duralumin assumed that the chamber to (aluminum alloy).” (Professor and used stainless steel screws. hold the sample would be quite Fujimura) However, the interior has a large. However, the cylindrical Before the second sample vapor-deposited coating of pure sample catcher carefully handled was taken, the small, slitted aluminum. The reason behind by Professor Fujimura using cylinder was rotated so that the this was that even if there was surgical gloves was only about second sample was sent into some mingling of Earth-origin fi ve centimeters in diameter the sample catcher’s A chamber materials with the sample, we and six centimeters tall. It on the opposite side. Chamber wanted to try and limit the was surprisingly small and A is near to the catcher’s lid quantity and types (elements) of light—maybe about the size of a while chamber B is near to such materials to the smallest whisky shot glass. But outward the base. The capacity of each numbers possible.” (Professor appearances can be deceptive— of the A and B chambers is Fujimura) its structure was in fact highly probably similar to a small salt In the clean room within the complex. shaker. The modest size of the curation facility, when the ISAS On the side of the cylindrical sample containers indicates how researchers fi rst opened up the sample catcher there is a central, extremely small the estimated sample catcher, they couldn’t round aperture. When Hayabusa sample would be. see anything that looked like a touched down on Itokawa, this “Yes, we estimated that the sample at all. All they saw was aperture was facing downward. sample would comprise grains the very shiny vapor-deposited Extending out from the aperture up to the size of common sugar aluminum coating. was the sampler horn, the end granules and would total 1–2 “It was so clean, the research of which touched the surface of grams.” (Professor Fujimura) team were rather disappointed.” Itokawa. Some of the asteroid Although the sample— (Professor Fujimura) fragments propelled up into the comprising more than 1,500 Despite this, the researchers horn entered the sample catcher particles measuring under one assumed that there were tiny through the aperture. On the hundredth of a millimeter and a particles in there that could inside of the aperture, there is a further several dozen grains of not be seen with the naked eye. smaller cylinder that has a slit in up to one tenth of a millimeter— To scrape such particles out of it, and the sample was sent into was slightly smaller than the the chamber, the ISAS team the sample catcher’s B chamber. envisaged amount, it is still a commissioned an FE-SEM “We made the revolving great accomplishment. manufacturer (Hitachi, Ltd.) to part slippery by interfusing “Since the sample catcher produce a special Tefl on spatula.

Structure of the capsule that protected the Itokawa sample during its return journey

Jan. 18, 2007 Closure of capsule lid Sample catcher Jun. 13, 2010 Atmospheric reentry

Jun. 20, 2010 Heat shield bodySample containerChamberChamber B A Heat shield backplate Opening of sample container

Nov. 20, 2005 1st touchdown (Chamber B) Hayabusa collected samples in chambers A and B of its sample catcher during its two touchdowns on Itokawa Nov. 26, 2005 2nd touchdown (Chamber A) in November 2005. Subsequently, a leak of fuel from one of Hayabusa’s chemical engines caused a malfunction and the loss of all communications with the Sampler horn spacecraft’s controllers for several weeks. In late January 2006, partial communications were restored. Several months were then spent recharging Hayabusa’s barely operational Li-ion battery. In January 2007, the capsule was successfully closed, latched, and sealed. Asteroid Itokawa 10 How many particles from Itokawa was Hayabusa able to capture?

Since the head of the spatula grains had fallen out.” (Professor Cheered on by NASA personnel is only about fi ve millimeters Fujimura) wide, the end and side have an The researchers hope that an Professor Fujimura personally edge similar to a knife blade. By even larger amount of sample led the team that conducted the gently rubbing the spatula along material will be recovered from painstaking fi ve-month process the interior walls of the sample the as-yet unopened sample- of examining each particle— catcher chamber, the researchers catcher B chamber. There is invisible to the naked eye—one hoped that particles invisible also the possibility that loose by one. The procedures were to the human eye would sink particles may be present in the carried out inside a clean room into and adhere to the Tefl on. capsule—those that never made that completely shuts out all They then checked the head of it as far as the sample-catcher dust by using three levels of the spatula using an FE-SEM. chamber. The process for fi nding anti-contamination protection. Through this process, the team such particles has yet to be Professor Fujikawa and his team was able to verify more than carried out. felt great jubilation at fi nding 1,500 particles. Particles recovered in the so many particles and verifying However, along with the manner described above are their origin as Itokawa. NASA sample particles, the team sorted and classifi ed by placing curators and scientists following also found approximately them on an artifi cial quartz the progress of the operations 1,800 aluminum particles glass slide measuring 26mm also showed their delight with intermingled. These particles x 40mm, with a thickness of the results by exclaiming, had detached from the vapor- 1mm. On the surface of the glass “Excellent!” on hearing the news. deposited aluminum coating slide is a laser-etched grid at For Professor Fujimura, used on the chamber’s interior 1.5-millimeter intervals with who began his scientifi c career walls. This amount was very numbered coordinates assigned. researching rocks exposed to small and well within the range At each grid intersection a high and high the team had anticipated. It was tiny hollow has been carved, deep inside the Earth’s not surprising that it had taken and each of the particles are mantle and then moved to quite a long time to observe individually placed in one of specialize in planetary science, and analyze each particle these hollows. The particles as well as for many people individually using the FE-SEM. adhere to the glass slide throughout Japan, the results surface through the force of from the Hayabusa capsule were Hopes that further particles static electricity, so there is no the conclusion of a long wait. At will be found in the sample risk of them falling off. After last there was confi rmation that 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 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 measuring up to 0.1 millimeter. universities around Japan. Moon. It was reported that the grains Particles observed using an had fallen out after tapping on optical microscope the container, but this tapping 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 we lightly tapped the container (Aluminum particle) (Aluminum particle) while holding it upside down. The maximum number of When we restored the sample people allowed inside the clean room at any one time is 10. catcher to its upright position, we This commemorative photo- could see a faint cloudiness on graph of researchers involved the surface of the platter. When in sample handling was taken we checked with a microscope, in front of the clean chamber we found that unexpectedly large using a camera self-timer.

11 JAXA TODAY No. 03

Astronaut Soichi Noguchi’s 163 days in space Aiming to contribute to the expansion of humankind’s space activities

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 personal logo for /23 ©JAXA/NASA

12 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 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 Cosmonaut , and First, Astronaut Noguchi would NASA Astronaut 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 operation of JEM (Japanese Yamazaki, who traveled to Experimental Module) Kibo— the ISS aboard 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). manned space fl ight missions. concluded his long-endurance A selection of photographs taken by Third, envisaging a future where mission when he returned to Astronaut Noguchi, which he posted to the Twitter micro-blogging service, are shown large numbers of people engage Earth on June 2, 2010. on pages 14 and 15.

Mission Preparation and Progress Pre-fl ight Training

©JAXA/NASA ©JAXA/NASA ©JAXA/NASA

Conducting ISS training Operating the Space Station Remote Manipulator Undertaking spacewalk—or extra-vehicular activity (EVA) System (SSRMS) in a simulator —training in a pool at NASA

13 “ Washington DC. Weather is getting better.” “ Golden rings of Moscow, Russia. “ I spy a big tower! Paris, France.” March 24, 2010 Happy Victory Day weekend!” April 30, 2010 April 30, 2010

“ Ponte Vasco da Gama, near Lisbon, Portugal. Theme 1 The longest bridge in Europe.” May 18, 2010 Thriving Cities Major cities where tens of millions of people work, study, and live. Geography that provides people with a comfortable living environment is a wonderful gift from the Earth.

“ Big ‘eye’ looking straight up! Mexico.” “ Bright lights, big city. Tokyo night.” March 12, 2010 April 18, 2010 A message to Planet Earth the world sent by JAXA Ast

“ My favorite 14th moon.” Theme 2 April 28, 2010 Multicolored Space A three-colored moon, Venus rising from a blue sunset, the magical yellow light band of aurora borealis. Space has many colorful faces.

“ Venus and sunset.” “ Blue moon sets into blue planet. February 26, 2010 My 100th ‘night’ in space!” March 29, 2010

Astronaut Noguchi used part of his free time to take photographs o many followers on the micro-blogging service Twitter. We have sele four themes.

“ Aurora. Northern Europe.” “ View of the round earth from Cupola.” “ Moon tonight. Sleep well!” March 9, 2010 April 25, 2010 March 26, 2010

14 “ Flooding in east Europe. Our thoughts and “ Deforestation, Amazon River.” “ Port-au-Prince, Haiti. prayers, and hope for the earliest recovery.” May 21, 2010 Three months after the earthquake.” May 4, 2010 April 10, 2010

Theme 3 “ Volcano in Caribbean islands.” Vulnerable Lands and Oceans March 20, 2010 The view from space shows us with our own eyes the huge impact of environmental destruction and natural disasters.

“ Oil spill in Gulf of Mexico, USA.” “ Active volcano, Columbia.” May 4, 2010 April 23, 2010 and to all the people of tronaut Soichi Noguchi ©JAXA/NASA

Theme 4 “ Mt. Fuji, Japan. On the morning of my 100th day in orbit :-)” A Planet of Water, Snow, and Ice March 30, 2010 Water seems to take on myriad forms all over the Earth as it nurtures a rich array of life forms.

“ Big iceberg! The ‘calculated’ “ Glacier lake in Southern Patagonia. See the actual size is fi ve miles wide!!! Indian Ocean.” color difference between the two lakes.” March 5, 2010 March 4, 2010

of the Earth and send these images along with messages to his ected a sample of these photographs and arranged them into

“ Chatham Islands, New Zealand.” “ Aral Sea, melting ice.” “ Sahara. Desert is beautiful!” April 24, 2010 March 20, 2010 March 17, 2010

15 JAXA TODAY No. 03

Completing the basic Theme1: functions of JEM Kibo

Experimental Logistics Module in the is equalized with -Pressurized Section (ELM-PS) the pressure in the area to

JEM Remote be entered before the hatch is JEM Airlock Manipulator System (JEMRMS) opened. The airlock on JEM Kibo is used exclusively for the passage of materials and equipment. In March 2010, Astronaut Exposed Facility (EF) Noguchi and NASA Flight Pressurized Engineer Timothy Creamer Module (PM) operated the MA to transfer the SFA from the airlock to the EF. After attaching the SFA Inter-orbit Communication System (ICS) Experiment Logistics Module to the MA and testing that its -Exposed Section (ELM-ES) functions were working, the Japan’s fi rst manned space activities facility SFA was installed on the SFA Stowage Equipment (SSE), Assembly of the SFA for JEM September 2009, the SFA was which is part of the EF platform. Kibo’s robotic arm transported to the ISS in a This operation marked the disassembled state inside the completion of installation of all JEM Kibo is equipped with a H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) JEM Kibo system equipment and robotic arm called JEMRMS, technology-demonstration meant that all basic functions of which is used for such tasks spacecraft. the module were now in place. as exchanging payloads on the In January 2010, Astronaut module’s Exposed Facility (EF). Noguchi and Commander The system comprises the Main Jeffrey Williams of NASA Arm (MA) and the SFA, which assembled the SFA and stowed attaches to the end effector of it in the airlock of JEM Kibo’s the MA, and the JEMRMS Pressurized Module (PM), ready Console, which is the system’s for its attachment to the MA. control workstation. One of the An airlock is a passageway tasks assigned to Astronaut that enables the movement of Noguchi was the assembly of people and materials between the SFA (Small Fine Arm) and two environments of differing ©JAXA/NASA its attachment to the MA. In air pressure. The air pressure Assembly of the SFA

Flight Day 1 Flight Day 3

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

Noguchi, Kotov, and Creamer enter Soyuz The liftoff of Soyuz TMA-17 Soyuz TMA-17 (ISS fl ight 21S) approaches the ISS. TMA-17 for fi nal pre-launch checks.

16 Astronaut Soichi Noguchi’s 163 days in space

A diverse array of Theme2: scientifi c experiments

convection mechanism (the instrument. The experiment content of this experiment differs was temporarily suspended and slightly from the experiment from January 13 to 15, 2010, introduced on page 23, titled Astronaut Noguchi carried out “Chaos, Turbulence and its on-orbit repairs. Although this Transition Process in Marangoni diffi cult operation required the Convection”). application of polyvinyl acetate (PVA) glue to a tiny 50μm gap, ©JAXA/NASA Elucidation of a new mechanism Astronaut Noguchi successfully In the Fluid Experiment Facility of muscular atrophy mediated completed the repair thanks to (FPEF), performing repairs on appara- by ubiquitin ligase Cbl-b: close cooperation with ground tus used in the “Space-time Structure in Identifying a new mechanism personnel. Subsequently, Marangoni Convection” experiment whereby a muscle protein (Cbl-b) Astronaut Noguchi verifi ed that mediates muscular atrophy the silicone oil was no longer Astronaut Noguchi worked leaking and the experiment was on numerous scientifi c Nanoskeleton synthesis in the resumed in late January. experiments. microgravity environment: Production in space of high- In JEM Kibo’s PM, there are performance structures at the currently a large number of nano level (nanoskeleton), which experiments under way in pure could not be achieved on the science fi elds (material science, ground life science), applied fi elds, and in the space medicine fi eld. During Repair of laboratory his long-duration mission on the instruments ISS, Astronaut Noguchi worked on a total of 12 experiments that During the performance of are being managed by JAXA. one of the abovementioned The following is an overview of experiments, “Space-time the main experiment themes. structure in Marangoni convection,” in November 2009 Space-time structure in it was found that silicone oil ©JAXA/NASA Marangoni convection: being used in the experiment Performing repairs on apparatus used in Acquisition of basic data with the was leaking from a gap between the Marangoni convection experiments in aim of elucidating the Marangoni components in a laboratory JEM Kibo’s Pressurized Module (PM)

Flight Day 3 Flight Day 6 Flight Day 9

©JAXA/NASA ©JAXA/NASA ©JAXA/NASA

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 of TMA-17. Celsius Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI)

17 JAXA TODAY No. 03

Life Theme 3: in space

Space living that emphasizes crew members’ two-hour daily daily routines routine of physical training uses a variety of exercise machines and What kind of daily lives do equipment for aerobic exercise astronauts lead on the ISS, which and strength training, which are is not only their workplace but essential for preventing the loss of also their “home in space”? The muscle strength and bone mass. ISS crew—including Astronaut Noguchi during his mission—lead Astronauts relax in their ©JAXA/NASA a regular daily routine based on personal quarters Using the Advanced Resistive Exercise Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) Device (ARED) during a physical workout and organized according to a Previously, only meals produced highly structured schedule. The in the United States and Russia were sent to the ISS. However, personal quarters, in addition in 2008, the menu was expanded to a warning and alarm system, A typical weekday activity schedule to include Japanese-made space an air-conditioning unit and followed by Astronaut Noguchi aboard meals, so that astronauts may sleeping bag, astronauts the ISS now enjoy such items as green also have their own personal Sleep tea, pork curry, and ramen computer. Astronaut Noguchi Breakfast (1 hour) Face wash, etc. noodles. used the Sleep Station installed (30 minutes) In the area of personal within JEM Kibo’s PM as his Planning conference with mission control (2 hours) hygiene, although there is personal quarters, attaching his no shower aboard the ISS, nameplate to the door during his Mission tasks (total: approximately astronauts receive such supplies stay. 8 hours) as soap, shampoo, razor blades, Although Astronaut Noguchi Lunch (1.5 hours) and toothbrushes, and they can used part of his free time on even cut their hair with electric this mission to pursue Zen Mission tasks clippers, which are equipped Buddhism-inspired “space with a suction device to catch the meditation” for the fi rst time, Physical exercise (2 hours) clippings. he found that it was diffi cult to Each crew member is remain in a still position owing Dinner (1 hour) assigned his or her own to the microgravity environment, Free time (1 hour) personal quarters for sleeping, which resulted in his fl oating Sleep getting dressed and spending about inside JEM Kibo and (approximately 7 hours) their allotted free time. In the sometimes banging into objects.

Flight Day 39 Flight Day 59 Flight Day 115

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

In Columbus, the European Space Agency’s President Obama talks to the ISS crew A group photo of the Space Shuttle Discovery STS-131 (ESA) science laboratory module, performing (photographed at the White House). crew and Expedition 23 crew in JEM Kibo work related to ESA experiments 18 Astronaut Soichi Noguchi’s 163 days in space

Publicity programs designed to bring space Theme4: closer to our everyday lives on Earth

Astronaut Noguchi participated in the following public relations (PR) events during his long-endurance mission on the ISS.

Communication session with certain laws of physics, including Communication System (ICS) then Prime Minister Mr. Yukio conservation of momentum and between JEM Kibo and the Hatoyama (January 7, 2010) action and reaction. The former JAXA Tsukuba Space Center experiment involved the collision (TKSC). At the Prime Minister’s offi cial of rolls of packing tape while the residence, under the guidance latter experiment utilized bags of JAXA Astronaut Satoshi of water. The session in May Furukawa, then Prime Minister demonstrated the mechanism Mr. Yukio Hatoyama, then of rocket propulsion using Minister of Education, Culture, rubber gloves and explained Sports, Science and Technology Bernoulli's principle—one of the Mr. Tatsuo Kawabata, and fundamentals on which aircraft pupils from Hamasuga fl ight is based— using a food Elementary School in Chigasaki, container. Astronaut Noguchi Kanagawa Astronaut Noguchi’s used a wide variety of equipment ©JAXA former school participated in found inside the ISS to explain Then Prime Minister Mr. Hatoyama asks a 25-minute communication some of the basic principles of Astronaut Noguchi about his stay on the ISS. session with Astronaut Noguchi. physics in easy-to-understand terms. Fun space experiments (March 6 and May 2, 2010) Real-time communication event (May 5, 2010) Utilizing the ISS’ microgravity environment, during two JAXA held an educational event sessions in March and May 2010, in which students chosen from Astronaut Noguchi participated locations throughout Japan were ©JAXA/NASA in a video project called “Fun given the opportunity to put The law of action and reaction: A water Space Experiments,” which aims questions directly to Astronaut bag (approximately 45 liters) with a cord to provide educational materials Noguchi. The question and attached is stopped stationary in midair. for use in school classrooms. answer session utilized a real- Astronaut Noguchi pulls on the cord to draw the bag closer. Whereupon, not only The session in March included time linkup provided through is the bag drawn toward Noguchi, but experiments to demonstrate Japan’s independent Inter-Orbit Noguchi moves also, pulled by the bag.

Flight Day 148 Flight Day 163 Flight Day 163

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

Working in the Unity module (Node 1) The Soyuz TMA-17 spacecraft approaches touchdown near Immediately after landing the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, on June 2, 2010.

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

Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Kibo

The Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Kibo is one of the modules attached to the International Space Station (ISS). As Japan’s fi rst manned experiment facility in space, JEM Kibo’s assembly was completed in July 2009. Utilizing the unique characteristics of its space environment—including microgravity, 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 aboard JEM Kibo’s Pressurized Module (PM). In this article, four principal investigators introduce their respective experiment projects.

20 Expanding the frontiers of scientifi c discovery aboard the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Kibo

Aiming for the development of therapeutic drugs for 1 Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)

High Quality Protein Crystallization Research (HQPC) Experiment period: February–June 2010 Principal investigator: Dr. Yoshihiro URADE, Osaka Bioscience Institute

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

Gene Expression of p53-regulated Genes in Mammalian Cultured Cells after Exposure to Space Environment (Rad Gene) Experiment period: February 2009 Principal investigator: Takeo OHNISHI, Special Chair in Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, Nara Medical University

1. Objective p53 molecule—a product of the tumor sup- 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. can sometimes lead to carcinogenesis. The It is also a key enzyme from the point of view

21 JAXA TODAY No. 03

of cancer research. In this experiment, we radiation that caused the DNA damage as took living human lymphoblastoid into the a biological dosimetry. These results will be space environment and observed how the p53 useful in the future—for example, in the case gene functions. of manned missions to Mars—in devising ways to protect astronauts from the harmful 2. Method effects of cosmic radiation, thereby making it Four frozen lymphoblastoid samples were possible for humans to spend long periods of taken into Kibo’s Cell Biology Experiment time in space safely. Facility (CBEF), and after thawing, two sam- ples were cultured in each of the microgravity compartment and the 1G compartment (in which the Earth’s gravity is simulated using centrifugal force) for approximately one week. In each gravity environment, one sample comprised cells with normal p53 genes while the other sample comprised cells with abnor- mal (mutant) p53 genes. By comparing the two pairs of samples, we were able to isolate the effects of cosmic radiation and also the ef- fects of microgravity on the p53 gene expres- sion by use of DNA arrays. After the culture process was completed, the cells were frozen again and brought back to Earth.

3. Principal results and future prospects 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 successfully providing a visualization of the blue. The white line in Figure a indicates the direction of DNA damage caused by cosmic radiation. In cosmic radiation. Figure b is an enlargement of the indicated addition, we measured the amount of cosmic portion of Figure a.

3 Deciphering plant life cycles in space

Life Cycle of Higher Plants under Microgravity Conditions (Space Seed) Experiment period: September–November 2009 Principal investigator: Seiichiro KAMISAKA, Visiting Professor, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama; Professor Emeritus, Osaka City University

1. Objective next generation. For this reason, it is an ex- In the space environment lacking gravity, periment that could only be carried out on the we grew plants over a complete life cycle— ISS where long-duration missions are possi- including seed germination, leaf and stalk ble. Eight PEUs were taken into Kibo’s CBEF growth, pollination, embryogenesis, and (Cell Biology Experiment Facility), with four seed formation—and investigated whether PEUs each placed in the microgravity com- or not we could produce next-generation partment and 1G compartment. The plant seeds. life cycle was then monitored remotely by our experiment team back on Earth. 2. Method We grew Arabidopsis thaliana (thale cress) 3. Principal results and future prospects inside plastic chambers within Japanese We observed that the foliage patterns dif- Plant Experiment Units (PEUs). Although fered between the two compartments. In the thale cress has a relatively short life cycle, 1G artifi cial gravity compartment, the foli- it still takes about two months from seed age spread out radially at the bottom of the germination to the seed formation of the chamber, while in the microgravity compart-

22 Expanding the frontiers of scientifi c discovery aboard the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Kibo

ment, the foliage pointed upward. In addi- tion, in the microgravity compartment, the timing of the aging represented by the change in leaf color from green to brown was delayed, suggesting that ethylene—a plant hormone— is involved in the delay of aging. If humans were to live in space in the future, they would have to rely on plants both as a food source and for environmental maintenance. The data obtained by this experiment are likely to contribute to a basic set of data for plant cultivation in space. Arabidopsis thaliana plants growing in the microgravity compartment (left) and the 1G compartment (right) © University of Toyama / JAXA

Elucidating the mechanisms that govern the oscillatory Marangoni fl ow with a view to contributing to the fi elds 4 of material science and semiconductor crystal growth

Chaos, Turbulence and its Transition Process in Marangoni Convection (Marangoni Experiment in Space / MEIS) Experiment period: Experiments conducted in fi ve series from MEIS-1to MEIS-5 MEIS-1: August–October 2008 MEIS-2: July–August 2009 MEIS-3: October 26–December 22, 2010 MEIS-4: September 2011 (planned) MEIS-5: To be confi rmed 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, differences in the along gas- we carried out more sophisticated measure- 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 computers. Marangoni convection can af- 3. Principal results and future prospects 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 experiment was to clarify the conditions for a 50mm diameter and observe the effects of 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 effects of Marangoni convection since they Marangoni convection and we hope that this are masked by the stronger effects of thermal research will contribute signifi cantly to in- convection ( convection) caused by creased sophistication in semiconductor gravity. For this reason, it is useful to con- crystal growth and heat-pipe design. duct experiments in space in a microgravity environment.

2. Method We selected silicon oil as a working liquid and conducted MEIS-1 and MEIS-2 in the Fluid Physics Experiment Facility (FPEF) aboard Kibo. In MEIS-1, we successfully gen- erated a large silicon-oil bridge between two disks heated differentially. This liquid bridge measured 30mm in diameter and 60mm in 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 23 JAXA TODAY No. 03 JAXA’s frontier

Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress view the Hayabusa capsule

On August 1, 2010, Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress visited the Tsukuba Space Center to view the capsule returned to Earth by the asteroid explorer Hayabusa. While viewing the actual heat shield used in Hayabusa and other exhib- its, Their Majesties asked questions and followed with keen interest explanations provided by project manager Professor Jun’ichiro Kawaguchi about the Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress capsule and other aspects of the mission. receive explanations about Hayabusa from project manager Professor Jun’ichiro Kawaguchi. © Ibaraki Prefecture JAXA astronauts Soichi Noguchi and attend Autumn Garden Party given by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress

On the occasion of the Autumn Garden Party given by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress at the Akasaka Imperial Gardens in Tokyo on October 28, 2010, JAXA Astronauts Soichi Noguchi and Naoko Astronaut Soichi Noguchi (right) and Yamazaki were among the invited guests. Astronaut Astronaut Naoko Yamazaki (wearing a light Yamazaki smiled as she spoke to His Majesty the blue kimono) chat with His Majesty the Emperor at the Autumn Garden Party. Emperor, saying “It was truly a pleasure to successfully © The Imperial Household Agency complete my mission thanks to the support of everyone in Japan.”

61st International Astronautical Congress (IAC) held in Prague

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 President Tachikawa (at the lectern on the of IKAROS. JAXA President Keiji Tachikawa participated in the Heads of Agency far right hand side) reports on JAXA’s current programs. (HOA) plenary, reporting on such developments as the successful launches of 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 sample-return capsule.

His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness Prince Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands visit the Tsukuba Space Center

On September 14, 2010, His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness Prince Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands visited the Tsukuba Space 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 JAXA’s frontier

in water management and conservation issues, and they were given explanations 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 the Earth’s water cycle. In the Control Room for the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Kibo, a module of the International Space Station (ISS), the Crown Prince and Prince Willem-Alexander received an explanation from JAXA Astronaut Chiaki Mukai about facilities used on the ISS, including the water-recycling system. The Crown Prince and Prince Willem- * A protofl ight model is tested to confi rm that there are no problems in the satel- Alexander receive an explanation from lite’s design and that its workmanship meets the quality requirements of a Astronaut Chiaki Mukai. fl ight model. The protofl ight model subsequently becomes the fl ight model © The Yomiuri Shimbun and is launched.

International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) marks 50th an- niversary by holding Heads of Space Agencies Summit

On November 17, 2010, the IAA hosted a landmark Heads of Space Agencies Summit on the occasion of its 50th anniversary in Washington, D.C., gathering President Keiji Tachikawa (far right hand together over 500 participants, comprising academicians, side) gives a speech to the summit, world leaders, and experts. The summit brought together including a report of the results of the 30 heads of space agencies from around the world, provid- Hayabusa mission. 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 space agency leader spoke at the summit, and when JAXA President 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.

Melbourne, Australia, hosts the 17th Session of the Asia-Pacifi c Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF-17)

The 17th Session of the Asia-Pacifi c Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF-17) 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 “the role of space technology and industry in addressing climate change,” which formed the basis for vigorous discussions. With regard to addressing climate 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. APRSAF offi cial website http://www.aprsaf.org/

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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