November 17, 2008 Updated
Certificate, tinned herb seeds presented to IBUKI's godparents
JAXA sent a certificate and tinned herb seeds to all 630 godparents of the Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite "IBUKI."In our special site for the IBUKI, we are asking for supportive messages for the IBUKI and its project team. We are waiting for messages from those who are IBUKI's godparents as well as those who are not. Please express your expectations and support to us. The launch is only two months away. Your continuous support is very much appreciated.
November 11, 2008 Updated
Naoko Yamazaki to become second Japanese female astronaut to fly to space!
JAXA Astronaut Naoko Yamazaki has been selected as a crew member of the Space Shuttle "Atlantis" (STS-131/19A mission).She is scheduled to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) for about 14 days on the Atlantis in February 2010, or later.
Following this announcement, three JAXA astronauts are now scheduled to go to space. They are Astronaut Koichi Wakata, who is going to stay on the ISS for about three months by STS-119 mission, Astronaut Soichi Noguchi, who will be on the ISS for about six months after flying on the Soyuz (his backup is Astronaut Satoshi Furukawa,) and Astronaut Naoko Yamazaki on the STS 131 mission.
November 5, 2008 Updated
Launch day of "IBUKI" set! Launch Special Site open
The launch day and lift-off time of the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 15 (H-IIA F15) was announced to be between 12:54 and 1:16 p.m. on January 21, 2009. The main payload of the H-IIA F15 is the Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite "IBUKI" (GOSAT.)At the same time, the "IBUKI Launch Special Site" was also opened. We will provide updated information on the IBUKI there. Please enjoy it.
The IBUKI was open to the press on Nov. 4 at the Tsukuba Space Center. It will be transported to the Tanegashima Space Center for final launch preparations.