Astronaut Koichi Wakata, who spent a long time on the International Space Station from last year to this year and experienced his fifth space flight, the most of any Japan person, held his first press conference after returning to Japan on the 5th, reporting on his activities in space and expressing his future aspirations, saying, "I want to do my best as a lifelong active duty."
Astronaut Koichi Wakata has been staying on the International Space Station since October last year, engaging in extravehicular activities and various experiments in anticipation of future exploration of the Moon and Mars, and returned to Earth in March aboard a private spacecraft.
Mr. Wakata had been staying in the United States for rehabilitation after returning to Japan, but he returned to Japan earlier this month and held his first press conference since returning to Japan on the 10th.
Looking back on his fifth spaceflight in space, the most of any Japan person, and his first spacewalk, Wakata said, "The joy of being able to do a spacewalk in a vacuum environment while looking at the beautiful earth spreading out in front of me was a moment when I was truly glad that I had continued this work."
He then commented on the mission, saying, "It was a great pleasure to be able to contribute to future exploration of the Moon and Mars, such as demonstration experiments of water recycling equipment."
When asked about the future, he said, "I would like to do my best as a lifelong active player, and I would also like to contribute to the operation and development of systems that enable the younger generation of astronauts to take on the challenge of the frontiers even further."