CAREER

1973-1983: Student, University of Tokyo

1983- 1985: Research Student, space propulsion systems, Astronautical Science, Japan; worked as a NRC research associate (1985) NASA Lewis Research Center

NASDA/ JAXA ASTRONAUT ASSIGNMENTS

1985: (07.08) Named as one of three Japanese Payload Specialist candidates by the National Space Development Agency (NASDA);

1985-1990: NASDA Payload specialist training for planned 1988 Japanese Spacelab (Spacelab J) Shuttle mission; mission delayed due to loss of Challenger in 1986, reassigned as STS-47 (Spacelab J). Continued his academic and research studies in US and Japan

1990-1992: NASA Payload Specialist training, Houston; (16.07.90) Selected as BUp PS for STS-47/Spacelasb J; (Sep 1992) BUp PS STS-47 (Spacelab J); supported flight from NASA Marshall Spaceflight Center, Huntsville, Alabama.

1993-1994: Project scientist International Microgravity Laboratory 2 mission (STS-65)

1995-1996:      Completed NASA Mission Specialist Training (with Group 15 NASA astronauts); upon completion of training he was assigned technical duties in the CB Vehicle Systems/Operations Branch, JSC.

1996-1997:      Shuttle mission training; (14.11.96) named MS3 STS-87; Shuttle mission training; (19.11-05.12.97) flew as MS3 STS-87 (376 hrs 34 min); as EV2 he completed 2 EVAs (12 hr 42 min); EVA1 (24.11.97) 7 hr 43 min; EVA2 (03.12.97) 4 hr 59 min; First Japanese astronaut to perform an EVA.

1998-2006:      Assigned technical duties CB ISS Branch; supported development of Japanese Experiment Module ‘Kibo’; (Oct 2001) commenced ISS Advanced Training in preparation for a long duration flight on board ISS possibly in support of Kibo operations; (01.10.2003) NASDA merged with Institute of Space & Astronautic Science (ISAS) and National Aerospace Laboratory of Japan (NAL) to form Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), service continuous; pursued his academic studies at Rice University (PhD Astronomy, 2004); (05.05.2006) named MS3 STS-123 ISS Assembly mission 1J/A ; (Oct 2006)participated in ISS Increment Sepcific Trainig evaluation of ISS experiment hardware

2006-2008: Shuttle mission training STS-123; (11-26.03.2008) flew as MS3 STS-123, 378 hrs 11 min; delivered first section of JEM to ISS.

2008-2009: Shuttle mission debrief and CB technical assignments; (30.06.2009) departed NASA and returned to JAXA; (13.09.2009) Resigned from JAXA to start new appointment with the United Nations.

SPACEFLIGHT RECORD

Post Astronaut Experience:

2009 (-2011):  (16.09.2009) Section Chief UN Office for Outer Space Affairs, Vienna, Austria; a two year term.