The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency is to launch space training tours in March at Tsukuba Space Center in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, that will allow ordinary people to use space equipment utilized by astronauts.The fee-based training tours will take place at an astronaut training facility in the center. JAXA's desire to make greater use of the training facilities follows a recent decline in opportunities to train astronauts at the facility.
Advanced Engineering Services Co., a Tokyo-based aerospace technology company, will administer the tours.
Training tour participants must be of third-grade primary school age or older.
Four types of tours have been planned, including:
- Wearing a lightweight space suit used when conducting external activities at the International Space Station
- Experiencing emergency measures undertaken when an air leak occurs inside the ISS.
It is possible to undergo the space training in English, as the astronauts themselves do.Each course lasts about 45 minutes and members of the public can apply for up to three courses. Individual courses costs 2,100 yen, with three courses costing 3,150 yen.
For enquires and reservations, contact Tsukuba Space Center at (0298) 55-2014.