Adventures in Space (and on Earth)
"I need challenges," said Takayoshi Nishikawa. And he means it. Until October 2000, he was in charge of NASDA (National Space Development Agency of Japan) for over three years, where he prepared and conducted the training program for station ASCANs (Astronaut Candidates). While showing them the ropes at the Tsukuba Space Center on the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) or "Kibo", he was in training himself for a triathlon. Young, spirited, and possessing a real sense of adventure, Nishikawa enjoys working on a project that takes time to come to life.

The Hope of Kibo
"I believe we can discover something new," said Nishikawa of Kibo, the first manned facility (to be launched in 2004) in which a maximum of four astronauts will be able to perform long-term research and experiments. "I think the new scientific fields will arise from a global culture." As Japan's impressive contribution to the International Space Station, Kibo consists of two experimental facilities, the Pressurized Module (PMT) and Exposed Facility (like a back porch with ten mounting spaces for experiments), Logistics Modules attached to each of them, and a Manipulator (a small robotic arm for payload operations). Kibo means "hope" in English and represents the wish that station activities will better life on Earth.

Japan's Proud Role
Japan was eager to join the space station program. Not only is it a chance for Japan to further its technological expertise, but also its scientific areas of excellence, including life sciences and the creation of new metals. And, for the first time, they are training their own astronauts (usually handled by NASA) as well as providing Kibo training to other astronauts traveling to the space station. "This basic training conducted by NASDA is challenging and very significant for advancing Japanese space development," said Nishikawa. Training ASCANs at home helps Japan accumulate training technology as well as make the Japanese people "feel closer to the astronauts."

Kibo Training
ASCANs have much to learn. Basic Training lasts about one and one half years, covers about 230 subjects and requires almost 1,600 hours of instruction. There are four key areas of training designed to give ASCANs a broad core of knowledge. "Basic Engineering and Outline of Space Systems" covers spacecraft system training operation and summaries of the Space Shuttle, Russian Soyuz (at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center), and H-II rocket. "Science " includes the general principles of Life Sciences, Microgravity Science, Earth Observation, and Space Science for experiments and observations aboard the space station. "Space Station and Kibo Systems" outlines on-orbit operations and utilization. ASCANs will study English, the official station language, and Russian for training in Russia. They'll learn about physical conditioning, first aid, decision making, photography, media relations, radio communication, and pilot training. Specialized training encompasses survival procedures, Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) for operations outside the station, and hyperbaric (altitude) chamber training in case astronauts experience a depressurization or a low-pressure environment. Depending on their 3-6 month space station mission, they'll receive further Advanced Training and Increment-Specific Training. Because Japan's astronaut corps is small, NASDA promotes interaction with senior Japanese astronauts training at Johnson Space Center and astronauts in other countries. All in all, training is designed to make astronauts comfortable aboard Kibo, "so they feel that JEM is their own home, " said Nishikawa.