Koichi Wakata, who is about to make his fifth space flight, the most by a Japanese astronaut, held a press conference on the 1st when he arrived at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where the spacecraft will be launched.
Mr. Wakata, along with three astronauts, an American and a Russian, will head to the International Space Station on a private American spacecraft that will be launched on the 6th of this month Japan time, planning to stay there for about half a year. Arrived at the Kennedy Space Center and held a press conference.
Mr. Wakata said, "I would like to thank everyone who worked hard on training and operation, and everyone who has been supporting us from Japan." With that in mind, I would like to do my best to maximize the results of the International Space Station project," he said enthusiastically.
Mr. Wakata has experienced spaceflight four times so far, but this is the first time for the other three astronauts.
Mr. Wakata said, "I have been blessed with wonderful leaders and have learned a lot. I would like to support the three fellows who fly together as veterans in the sense of giving back."
The spacecraft on which Mr. Wakata is boarding is scheduled to be launched at exactly 1:00 am on the 6th of this month, Japan time.