Just around the time a stress-relieving humanoid robot may join the International Space Station, or ISS, another crew member from Japan will boldly go along where no tweeting robot has gone before. And not just for the ride: Flesh-and-blood human astronaut Koichi Wakata will be the first Japanese commander of the research facility.
JAXA
Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata preparing for training.
According to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA, 47-year-old Mr. Wakata, who debuted in space in 1996 and was the first Japanese astronaut to serve as a resident crew member on the ISS in 2009, will lead the team of astronauts on the station after spending about six months there. Saitama-born Mr. Wakata, a one-time engineer for Japan Airlines Corp. who enjoys baseball and skiing, will be shuttled to the ISS late 2013. He’ll be the first Asian commanding astronaut too, joining Belgian and Canadian nationals as the only non-American and non-Russian commanders so-far.
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In a video conference from Houston, Texas Thursday, Mr. Wakata said, “It has been a challenge for Japan to have an astronaut in a leadership role. I am very honored in that sense (to have been chosen for the role),” he said, attributing Japan’s success with the transport craft Konotori in January and the country’s contribution to space research in general as creating the ideal environment for a Japanese astronaut to be appointed. “With the Japanese spirit of harmony, I hope to bring the team together,” he added.
JAXA
Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata preparing for training.
According to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA, 47-year-old Mr. Wakata, who debuted in space in 1996 and was the first Japanese astronaut to serve as a resident crew member on the ISS in 2009, will lead the team of astronauts on the station after spending about six months there. Saitama-born Mr. Wakata, a one-time engineer for Japan Airlines Corp. who enjoys baseball and skiing, will be shuttled to the ISS late 2013. He’ll be the first Asian commanding astronaut too, joining Belgian and Canadian nationals as the only non-American and non-Russian commanders so-far.
