Japan's ISS Program Status
- Paper number
IAC-07-B3.1.03
- Author
Dr. Kuniaki Shiraki, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Japan
- Coauthor
Dr. Masaki Shirakawa, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (IAT/JAXA), Japan
- Year
2007
- Abstract
This coming year is going to be the most exciting and challenging one in the history of Japan’s manned space development. At the Heads of Agency meeting held in January 2007, it was confirmed that the assembly of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), named Kibo, will start in one year with the launch of the Experiment Logistics Module-Pressurized Section (ELM-PS), followed by the core of the Kibo’s entire system called the Pressurized Module (PM). The flight elements including the Kibo Remote Manipulator System, ELM-PS, and utilization experiments have been transported to NASA Kennedy Space Center, and their final checkout in the launch preparations is being completed. Preparation and training for Kibo on-orbit operations are also at a high pitch, and the Japanese astronauts are getting ready to fly on Shuttle with ELM-PS as well as to stay for a three-month increment on ISS for element activation and checkout. This paper will present the progress and accomplishments in Japan’s ISS Program since the last IAF presentation in Valencia in 2006, and will describe Kibo’s launch and operation preparation as well as JEM utilization after its assembly. Also covered is the status of the manufacturing of the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV), which will have an important role in the ISS resupply fleet, especially after the Shuttle retirement in 2010.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-07-B3.1.03.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.