By outofthewoods

NASA Spotlight: Astronaut Soichi Noguchi

Soichi Noguchi was selected as an astronaut with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency in 1996. A native of Yokohama, Kanagawa, he is currently a mission specialist for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-1 launch taking flight to the International Space Station on Nov. 14. Soichi will be the first international crewmember on Crew Dragon and the first international partner astronaut to fly aboard three types of orbital spacecraft – the U.S. space shuttle, the Russian Soyuz, and now the SpaceX Crew Dragon! Talk about impressive. He received a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering in 1989, master’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering in 1991, Doctor of Philosophy in Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies in 2020, all from the University of Tokyo.

Soichi took time from preparing for his historic mission to answer questions about his life and career: 

You recently earned a doctorate in philosophy. What made you do it?

After my second flight, I started this research about your sensory system in zero gravity. I used a my own personal video, which I took during my last two flights at the International Space Station. I had a lot of interesting discussions amongst young professionals and students at the University of Tokyo about the research. It was a fun experience – but I would not do it again!

Space is a risky business. Why do it?

Space IS definitely a risky business. But the reward is higher than the risk so that’s why we take it.

Do you have a message for boys and girls in Japan who are interested in science and engineering?

Three words: Space. Is. Waiting.

Aside from mission objectives and tasks, what’s a personal goal for this mission?

We have a lot of interesting missions to do, but my personal goal is to return home with lots of fun stories.

What was it like to get the phone call to become an astronaut?

 It was 25 years ago, but I still remember the voice vividly. I got a call from Dr. Mamoru Mohri, the very first JAXA astronaut, and he said “Welcome to the Astronaut Corps.” When I got the call to be part of the Crew-1 mission, I was a lot less nervous than when I was assigned to my first mission, but the excitement remains the same.

Can you describe your crew mate Mike Hopkins in one sentence?

He is a natural leader that takes care of the team really well, and he’s fun to play around with.

Star Trek or Star Wars?

Star Wars… just because!

Can you share your favorite photo or video that you took in space?

My favorite photo is Mount Fuji because I see the mountain almost every day when I was a child. It’s definitely breathtaking to see Mount Fuji from space.

What personal items did you decide to pack for launch and why?

I have lots of family photos, and I would put it inside my sleep station. Definitely one of the most challenging things about spaceflight is not experiencing zero gravity, not the rocket, but time away from family.

How would you describe spacewalking outside the space station?

It’s an excursion. The view of the Earth is just breathtaking because you are just one glass away from the vacuum of space. There’s nothing between you and Earth.

What are you most excited about for the future of human space exploration?

I would say I’m most excited for interplanetary travel to become more common so that the school kids can go to Mars on their field trip.

What would you say to someone looking to follow in your footsteps?

Don’t worry, be happy!

How has spaceflight evolved since your first launch and stay aboard the International Space Station in 2005?

This is definitely an exciting moment. We’re starting to see more players in the game. SpaceX is the frontrunner, but soon we’ll see Boeing, Sierra Nevada and Axiom. So the International Space Station will soon have more players involved, and it will be a lot more fun!

Thank you for your time, Soichi, and good luck on your historic mission! Get to know a bit more about Soichi and his NASA astronaut crew mates Victor Glover, Michael Hopkins, and Shannon Walker in the video above.

Watch LIVE launch coverage beginning at 3:30 p.m. EST on Nov. 14 HERE.

Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space: http://nasa.tumblr.com

"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

Maya Angelou

There is a long history of gassing and caging children. Don’t forget!

In first for Fed, U.S. central bank says climate poses stability risks

The U.S. Federal Reserve for the first time called out climate change among risks enumerated in its biannual financial stability report, and warned about the potential for abrupt changes in asset values in response to a warming planet.

Excerpt from this story from Reuters:

The U.S. Federal Reserve for the first time called out climate change among risks enumerated in its biannual financial stability report, and warned about the potential for abrupt changes in asset values in response to a warming planet.

“Acute hazards, such as storms, floods, or wildfires, may cause investors to update their perceptions of the value of real or financial assets suddenly,” Fed Governor Lael Brainard said in comments attached to the report, released Monday.

“Chronic hazards, such as slow increases in mean temperatures or sea levels, or a gradual change in investor sentiment about those risks, introduce the possibility of abrupt tipping points or significant swings in sentiment,” Brainard said.

Such abrupt price changes from climate-related disasters could also create difficult-to-predict knock-on effects through financial markets, the report said, particularly because not enough is understood, or disclosed, about the true extent of exposures to climate risks.

Eta, Now a Category 4 Hurricane, Takes Aim at Central America

The storm was expected to strengthen before making landfall late Monday or early Tuesday morning, producing as much as 35 inches of rain.

Eta was upgraded to a Category 4 hurricane on Monday, the National Hurricane Center said, warning that the storm was likely to strengthen before making landfall in Nicaragua late Monday night or early Tuesday.

Eta is the 28th named storm and the 12th hurricane in a dangerously active season that has brought destruction from Central America to the northern Gulf States and beyond. With Eta, 2020 has tied a record set in 2005 for the most storms that have grown strong enough to be named…

Government scientists had predicted an unusually busy hurricane season, which began on June 1. They pointed to factors like higher-than-average sea surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean, a strong African monsoon season and a reduced vertical wind shear, which means less wind variability at different altitudes that can disrupt the formation of storms.

Climate scientists say there are links between global warming and the intensity of hurricanes. As ocean temperatures rise, hurricanes grow stronger as warm water serves as the fuel that powers them.

But the number of named storms this year exceeded even initial forecasts from the National Hurricane Center.

“Records are made to be broken,” said Dennis Feltgen, a spokesman and meteorologist with the center in Miami. “But this is not one I would want to break.”

The time has come for us to shine!!

Dates: June 27 and 28, 2020

Join: discord.gg/sbg7gbK

Graphic design by Veronica.

The staff of TechnoCoven 2020 will be hosting a fundraiser event to raise money for organizations that are assisting the Black community/are associated with Black Lives Matter and for the victims of police brutality. 100% of the money raised will be going directly to these organizations.

We currently have a list of volunteers who will be giving tarot readings, energy work sessions, performing spellwork and leading events, giving out art commissions, and more in exchange for donations. There will also be free community healing offerings for Black practitioners and other practitioners of color.

We are also looking for more volunteers! DM me here or on Discord if you are interested in helping out and volunteering your skills and services. (You must be 18+ to volunteer or donate.)

While the server won't be going live for a while, please feel free to join now to save your spot! And don't forget to mark your calendars for this event.

Please reblog to boost this event! TechnoCoven raised over $1,500 for COVID relief; let's do the same (or better!) for BLM!