Main Menu begins from here.

Minister remarks on Astronaut Akihiko Hoshide’s safe return aboard the Soyuz spacecraft（31S）

  1. I am delighted to hear that the Soyuz spacecraft（31S） with three astronauts aboard including Japanese astronaut Akihiko Hoshide safely landed in the Republic of Kazakhstan on November 19th（Japan time）.
     
  2. Astronaut Hoshide who completed his first long-duration stay of 4 months on the International Space Station (ISS) achieved great success in conducting a range of scientific experiments including the first release of small satellites into space through the utilization of the Japanese experiment module “KIBO”, connecting the H-Ⅱtransfer vehicle “KOUNOTORI ” to the ISS, and carrying out three spacewalks during his mission.
     
  3. It is my hope that the continued active participation of Japanese astronauts will further bring out the significance and future possibilities of the ISS.

November 19, 2012
Makiko Tanaka
MEXT Minister

（Space Development and Utilization Division, Research and Development Bureau）

Main Menu begins from here.