Soichi Noguchi

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Soichi Noguchi
Soichi Noguchi
NASDA/JAXA Astronaut
Nationality Japanese
Born April 15, 1965
Yokohama, Japan
Other occupation Engineer
Space time 13d 21h 32m
Selection 1996 NASDA Group
Missions STS-114
Mission
insignia

Soichi Noguchi (野口聡一 Noguchi Sōichi, born 15 April 1965 in Yokohama, Japan) is a Japanese aeronautical engineer and a JAXA astronaut. His first spaceflight was as a Mission Specialist aboard STS-114 on 26 July 2005 for NASA's first "return to flight" Space Shuttle mission after the Columbia disaster.

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[edit] Personal life

Soichi Noguchi was a Boy Scout.[1][2][3][4][5]

He is married and has three children.[5]

His hobbies are jogging, basketball, skiing, camping.[6]

[edit] Education

Noguchi graduated from Chigasaki-Hokuryo High School, in Chigasaki, in 1984, and then studied at the University of Tokyo, earning a bachelor's degree in 1989 and a master's degree in 1991, both in Aeronautical Engineering.

[edit] Experience

Soichi Noguchi on his first EVA (spacewalk)
Soichi Noguchi on his first EVA (spacewalk)

After graduation, Noguchi worked for Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries, assigned to the research and development department of their Aero-Engine and Space Operations division. He worked on aerodynamic design of commercial engines.

[edit] Astronaut experience

Noguchi was selected as an astronaut candidate by the National Space Development Agency of Japan (now part of JAXA) in June 1996. In August 1996, he reported to NASA's Johnson Space Center for NASA astronaut training. Noguchi qualified as a mission specialist after two years, and received training on Russian space systems at Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in 1998. He was assigned to technical support for the Japanese Experiment Module of the International Space Station and then, in April 2001, to the crew of STS-114 as a Mission Specialist.

Noguchi is currently assigned to the back-up crew for Expedition 18. He is also currently scheduled to be a primary crew member of Expedition 20, if he does not fly with expedition 18.

[edit] Trivia

Noguchi was the recipient of an apology by the Australian comedy band, Tripod, who released a song on their album, Middleborough Road, asking the question "Why aren't there any Japanese astronauts?". Upon realising Noguchi's existence, the band released a (humorous) statement of apology on their website.

[edit] References

[edit] External links