JAXA Expectations for US private spacecraft test flight Noguchi-san scheduled to board May 17 at 17:39

A Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi plans to board a spacecraft developed by an American private company that will carry out a test flight with an astronaut for the first time this month. At the regular meeting, the President of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said, "I want to look carefully at safety," and expressed hope for the development of the new spacecraft.

The new spacecraft "Crew Dragon" developed by the American private company "Space X" will carry two American astronauts for the first time, and the final launch for the test is scheduled for this month 28th Japan time. So, Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi is planning to board the first aircraft in the operation stage.

JAXA Chairman Hiroshi Yamakawa said at a regular online conference on the 15th, “Mr. Noguchi is a very experienced astronaut. The opportunity for Japanese to board a new spacecraft at an early stage of operation. I am proud to say that I would like to take a careful look at the safety of the Crew Dragon and evaluate it. "

Also, regarding being a spacecraft developed by a private company, "It is wonderful that there are more ways to send people to space if there is success, and there are multiple options for Japan. In the United States, the vitality of private companies is space. I'm making the most of it for development, and I think that the technology and experience of other companies in the world will also be used for space development. "