Let's Talk about .. JAXA Tsukuba Space Center

Last week I had a chance to visit Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Tsukuba Space Center. It is located at 2-1-1 Sengen, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki-ken, Japan. It's established since 1972 [4].
There are both English and Japanese tour service for free, but you have to book in advance.

First of all, we need to have the visitor card, after that I entered the building to see the introduction video.

Visitor Card

Inside Information Building

Robot Kun, mascot of JAXA

Rocket H-II, H-II A, and H-II B

First place, I went to the Exhibition Hall. After entering, there is a big Earth half sphere called Dream Port. I can see the position of the satellites above the atmosphere and other JAXA activities.

Dream Port

After that, they show achievement of each space projects. There are many models of the satellites.

Since 1970, ..

Medium-scale Broadcasting Satellite for Experimental Purpose

Engineering Test Satellite-VII

Spacesuit is used by astronauts for extravehicular activities. It consists of 14 layers of materials to protect. Astronauts from harmful radiation and space debris [4].

They provide the full scale mockup of KIBO, the Japanese Experimental Module (JEM). It is a Japan's first human facility in the International Space Station. Kibo is a module to study about space medicine, biology, Earth observations, material production, biotechnology and communications research [3]. I can see the introduction of utilization of the space environment. They said that Kibo is as big as motor coach [4].

Kibo

Inside Kibo

International Space Station (ISS) model

Next to Kibo, there are many rockets standing there. There are 1/12 scale models of the successive rockets.

1/12 Model of Successive Rockets

KAGUYA, an engineering model for a space science and lunar and planetary science research is also shown in the hall. The major objectives of KAGUYA mission are to obtain scientific data of the lunar origin and evolution and to develop the technology for the future lunar exploration. KAGUYA consists of a main orbiting satellite at about 100 km altitude and 2 small satellites (Relay Satellite and VRAD Satellite) in polar orbit [4].

SeLenological Engineering Explorer KAGUYA

Not only the model, but they also display the real rocket engines "LE-7" and "LE-8", which were used for combustion tests [4].

Then, the bus took me to the Weightless Environment Test Building. There is a large 16-meter-diameter pool with 10.5 meters in depth for the astronaut training with spacesuits. They showed a video of the weightless environment test.

Weightless Environment Test Building

Symptom according to pressure

I found that there were some Japanese children learning something about communication technique if the room next to video display place.

Until 2010, there are 8 Japanese astronauts [2]:-

Japanese Astronauts

- Mamoru Mohri, Ph.D.(Chemistry) from Flinders University, the first Japanese astronaut, crew member on the Spacelab-J mission in 1992
- Chiaki Mukai, M.D., Ph.D.(Physiology) from Keio University, the first Japanese female astronaut, Payload Specialist
- Takao Doi, Ph.D.(Aerospace Engineering) from the University of Tokyo, Ph.D.(Astronomy) from Rice University
- Koichi Wakata, Dr.Eng.(Aerospace Engineering) from Kyushu University
- Soichi Noguchi, M.Eng.(Aeronautical Engineering) from the University of Tokyo
- Satoshi Furukawa, M.D., Ph.D.(Medical Science) from the University of Tokyo
- Akihiko Hoshide, M.Sc.(Aerospace Engineering) from University of Houston Cullen College of Engineering
- Naoko Yamazaki, M.Eng.(Aerospace Engineering) from the University of Tokyo

After that, the bus took me back to the Information Building to visit a Space Toy Shop, a souvenir shop.

Thank you JAXA for this nice experience.

Ref.

[1] JAXA, "KAGUYA SELENE", available at http://www.kaguya.jaxa.jp/index_e.htm (accessed September 2010).

[2] JAXA, "Profile of JAXA's Astronauts", available at http://iss.jaxa.jp/astro/profile_e.html(accessed September 2010).

[3] Kauderer, A., "Kibo Japanese Experiment Module", International Space Station, NASA, available at http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/elements/jem.html(accessed September 2010).

[4] Tsukuba Space Center, Tsukuba Space Center Tour Guide, 2010.