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Artwork by Pamela Phatsimo Sunstrum.
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NASA Spotlight: Astronaut Soichi Noguchi
Soichi Noguchi was selected as an astronaut with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency in 1996. A native of Yokohama, Kanagawa, he is currently a mission specialist for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-1 launch taking flight to the International Space Station on Nov. 14. Soichi will be the first international crewmember on Crew Dragon and the first international partner astronaut to fly aboard three types of orbital spacecraft – the U.S. space shuttle, the Russian Soyuz, and now the SpaceX Crew Dragon! Talk about impressive. He received a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering in 1989, master’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering in 1991, Doctor of Philosophy in Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies in 2020, all from the University of Tokyo.
Soichi took time from preparing for his historic mission to answer questions about his life and career:
You recently earned a doctorate in philosophy. What made you do it?
After my second flight, I started this research about your sensory system in zero gravity. I used a my own personal video, which I took during my last two flights at the International Space Station. I had a lot of interesting discussions amongst young professionals and students at the University of Tokyo about the research. It was a fun experience – but I would not do it again!
Space is a risky business. Why do it?
Space IS definitely a risky business. But the reward is higher than the risk so that’s why we take it.
Do you have a message for boys and girls in Japan who are interested in science and engineering?
Three words: Space. Is. Waiting.
Aside from mission objectives and tasks, what’s a personal goal for this mission?
We have a lot of interesting missions to do, but my personal goal is to return home with lots of fun stories.
What was it like to get the phone call to become an astronaut?
It was 25 years ago, but I still remember the voice vividly. I got a call from Dr. Mamoru Mohri, the very first JAXA astronaut, and he said “Welcome to the Astronaut Corps.” When I got the call to be part of the Crew-1 mission, I was a lot less nervous than when I was assigned to my first mission, but the excitement remains the same.
Can you describe your crew mate Mike Hopkins in one sentence?
He is a natural leader that takes care of the team really well, and he’s fun to play around with.
Star Trek or Star Wars?
Star Wars… just because!
Can you share your favorite photo or video that you took in space?
My favorite photo is Mount Fuji because I see the mountain almost every day when I was a child. It’s definitely breathtaking to see Mount Fuji from space.
What personal items did you decide to pack for launch and why?
I have lots of family photos, and I would put it inside my sleep station. Definitely one of the most challenging things about spaceflight is not experiencing zero gravity, not the rocket, but time away from family.
How would you describe spacewalking outside the space station?
It’s an excursion. The view of the Earth is just breathtaking because you are just one glass away from the vacuum of space. There’s nothing between you and Earth.
What are you most excited about for the future of human space exploration?
I would say I’m most excited for interplanetary travel to become more common so that the school kids can go to Mars on their field trip.
What would you say to someone looking to follow in your footsteps?
Don’t worry, be happy!
How has spaceflight evolved since your first launch and stay aboard the International Space Station in 2005?
This is definitely an exciting moment. We’re starting to see more players in the game. SpaceX is the frontrunner, but soon we’ll see Boeing, Sierra Nevada and Axiom. So the International Space Station will soon have more players involved, and it will be a lot more fun!
Thank you for your time, Soichi, and good luck on your historic mission! Get to know a bit more about Soichi and his NASA astronaut crew mates Victor Glover, Michael Hopkins, and Shannon Walker in the video above.
Watch LIVE launch coverage beginning at 3:30 p.m. EST on Nov. 14 HERE.
Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space: http://nasa.tumblr.com
Soyuz Neptune-ME@Commander
Soyuz Neptune-ME@Engineer 2
The Final Voyage
The MEDS journeyed to space with Atlantis for one last time.
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Shuttle Mission STS-101
Atlantis was the first shuttle to fly with a glass cockpit during STS-101 mission.
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Space Shuttle Glass Cockpit
NASA upgraded the Space Shuttle’s cockpit to a glass cockpit or Multi-function Electronic Display System during a 10-month major overhaul in 1998.
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Apollo 8 Christmas Message
Apollo 8, the first manned mission to the Moon, entered lunar orbit on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1968. That evening, the astronauts did a live television broadcast from lunar orbit, in which they showed pictures of the Earth and Moon seen from Apollo 8. They ended the broadcast with the crew taking turns reading from the book of Genesis.
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The Aroaces have taken over the moon!!! …rightfully so. Okay, not really but; it seemed good to say, I guess. Still fun that I got to go to the moon though. Pretty outta this world, huh?
(Art done by GeeseGoose on twt as a gift from a pride gift exchange! Adore this with all of my heart and they really drew my space boy so spectacularly and adorably, repping his pride on the moon 👩🏻🚀🫶🏻)
Stars⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I made this black and white astronaut art but I’m not sure if I should color it, this was made about 5 months ago I think
I wonder if this is the replacement for the ACES suit. Time to look things up!
Dang it, the space ninjas got away
Cosmic Smokescreen NGC 6530 © ESA/Hubble
I gave a presentation today, it was the first one I was ever really excited to present, so I didn't think that I would be nervous to present it. Well the moment my presentation went on the big screen I was very nervous.
I'm glad I got them to agree to hold still for long enough that I could paint them.
by FLOOKO
You can't just take the sun, people need that
I’ll see your himalayan salt lamp and raise you the fucking sun
This is the time I accidentally went to space Florida
by hakemo
I went to the space beach today and caught some totally narly space waves
from morysetta
OH NO THIS ASTROMAN WAS CRACKED IN HALF BY THE MUSIC, WHAT ARE WE TO DO!?
Dystopia II
That's how I ended up in space in the first place
A tall ghoulish looking man with a green robe and strange symbols on his cheeks comes up to you and says "hey sexy. Drink this"
Would you?
Ever lie down and just look up at the star?
by captvart
It's like treasure planet but instead of having treasure inside it has another planet inside. I call it planet planet
by liam.pannier
Space batteries in my space ship died, waiting for a space jump
Today feels like Friday because it feels like the end of the week but I know it's not Friday because I have Friday off. But it still feels like too much of a Friday to not be Friday, it's like second Friday before Friday because it doesn't feel exactly Friday enought to be first Friday you know?
Just got one space final left, wish me luck
That is a space accountant, their job is to make sure every star is accounted for
by nicebleed
Me on my way back to my pretty pink space ship after visiting pretty pink space in my pretty pink space suit
‘psy’