A concept image of JAXA’s (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) pressurized rover on the surface of the Moon. Image Credit: JAXA/Toyota

A concept image of JAXA’s (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) pressurized rover with its solar arrays deployed on the surface of the Moon. Image Credit: JAXA/Toyota

Here you see the X-59 scaled model inside the JAXA supersonic wind tunnel during critical tests related to sound predictions.

A concept image of a pressurized rover on the surface of the Moon. Image Credit: JAXA/Toyota

A concept image of a pressurized rover on the surface of the Moon. Image Credit: JAXA/Toyota

A concept image of the back of a pressurized rover on the surface of the Moon with the airlock in view. Image Credit: JAXA/Toyota

jsc2020e040980 (11/2/2018) --- Image of EVA-SOFPADS (Left) and IVA-SOFPADS (Right) taken at JAXA during samples handover. The objective of the Smart Optical Fibers for Passive Dosimetry in Space (SOFPADS), or Fiber Dosimeter, investigation is to evaluate the use of fabricated optical fibers as space radiation passive dosimeters to monitor the radiation environment inside and outside of the International Space Station (ISS). Image Credit: JAXA

jsc2024e041793 (12/16/2020) --- JAXA Confocal Space Microscopy (COSMIC) is seen on the International Space Station. Image courtesy of JAXA.

JAXA Astronaut Aki Hoshide get’s suited up for his EMU space suit portrait session. Hoshide is part of the Expedition 64/65 Mission crew and commander of the ISS for Expedition 65. He flew to station as part of Crew-2 aboard the Space-X Crew Dragon vehicle.

jsc2022e068258(5/11/2022) --- A preflight view of the Bag is used to culture nematodes in liquid medium, an injection port is available to transfer a portion of medium by using Syringe. Effect of the Space Environment on the Neural Integration System and Aging of the Model Animal C. elegans (Neural Integration System) uses nematodes to examine how microgravity affects the nervous system. Image courtesy of JAXA

jsc2022e068257 (5/11/2022) --- A preflight view of the syringe used to transfer the nematode-suspended medium into Culture Bag/ Fixation Bag. Effect of the Space Environment on the Neural Integration System and Aging of the Model Animal C. elegans (Neural Integration System) uses nematodes to examine how microgravity affects the nervous system. Image courtesy of JAXA

jsc2022e068256 (5/11/2022) --- A preflight image of the sample holder which holds the Culture Bags with port, and used to accommodate it to the Cell Biology Experiment Facility (CBEF) in KIBO module. Effect of the Space Environment on the Neural Integration System and Aging of the Model Animal C. elegans (Neural Integration System) uses nematodes to examine how microgravity affects the nervous system. Image courtesy of JAXA

jsc2022e068255 (5/11/2022) --- A preflight view of the Observation Bag including nematode C. elegans to observe by confocal microscope in the ISS (COSMIC). Effect of the Space Environment on the Neural Integration System and Aging of the Model Animal C. elegans (Neural Integration System) uses nematodes to examine how microgravity affects the nervous system. Image courtesy of JAXA

jsc2024e028394 (April 25, 2024) --- JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui conducts training for a spacewalk at the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Credit: NASA/James Blair

iss047e055611 (4/11/2016) --- A view of the JAXA Protein Crystal Growth (PCG) Demo Sample, in the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Pressurized Module (JPM) aboard the International space Station (ISS). The objective of JAXA High Quality Protein Crystal Growth Demonstration Experiment (JAXA PCG-Demo) is to grow high quality protein crystals in microgravity.

iss047e055613 (4/11/2016) --- A view of the JAXA Protein Crystal Growth (PCG) Demo Sample, in the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Pressurized Module (JPM) aboard the International space Station (ISS). The objective of JAXA High Quality Protein Crystal Growth Demonstration Experiment (JAXA PCG-Demo) is to grow high quality protein crystals in microgravity.

From left to right, Manager of the International Relations and Research Department, JAXA, Akira Kosaka; President, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Hiroshi Yamakawa; Secretary for the President of JAXA, Nobuto Yoshioka; Vice President for International Relations, JAXA, Yasuo Ishii; and NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, are seen during a meeting, Thursday, April 7, 2022, at NASA Headquarters in Washington DC. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

jsc2024e074737 (Nov. 13, 2024) --- JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui conducts training for the unlikely event of an emergency at the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel

JSC2007-E-19403 (19 March 2007) --- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Koichi Wakata, flight engineer

From left to right, President, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Hiroshi Yamakawa; NASA Office of International and Interagency Relations (OIIR) Deputy Associate Administrator, Meredith McKay; International Program Specialist, OIIR, Andrew Masciola; Director of the Washington DC Office, JAXA, Dr. Masami Onoda; Manager of the International Relations and Research Department, JAXA, Akira Kosaka; Secretary for the President of JAXA, Nobuto Yoshioka; Vice President for International Relations, JAXA, Yasuo Ishii; and NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, are seen during a meeting, Thursday, April 7, 2022, at NASA Headquarters in Washington DC. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

President of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Hiroshi Yamakawa speaks with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson during a meeting, Thursday, April 7, 2022, at NASA Headquarters in Washington DC. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) President, Hiroshi Yamakawa, third from right, speaks about opportunities to work with NASA in human and robotic exploration at the lunar surface and around the Moon, at the Space Symposium, Monday, April 8, 2019 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. They also discussed the two agencies’ asteroid sample return missions, OSIRIS-REx AND Hayabusa-2, and how they are looking forward to sharing the data and results from those missions. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

iss047e105727 (5/10/2016) --- Photographic documentation of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) High Quality Protein Crystal Growth (PCG) Removal. The PCG-Canister Bags were removed from the Cell Biology Experiment Facility (CBEF) and the Protein Crystallization Research Facility (PCRF) before being stowed for return on SpX-8. The JAXA PCG-Demo investigation crystallizes proteins using the counter-diffusion technique and permeation method that minimizes impurities, forming high-quality crystals for use in medical studies and ecological applications.

The Hyperspectral Imager Suite (HISUI), a Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) payload, arrives in its shipping container at the entrance to the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Oct. 25, 2019. The payload will be packed inside the external trunk of the SpaceX Dragon cargo module at Launch Complex 39A. HISUI will be delivered to the International Space Station on SpaceX’s 19th Commercial Resupply Services mission for NASA in December 2019. HISUI is a spaceborne hyperspectral Earth Imaging System with a reflective telescope and two grating spectrometers.

The Hyperspectral Imager Suite (HISUI), a Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) payload, arrives in its shipping container at the entrance to the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Oct. 25, 2019. The payload will packed inside the external trunk of the SpaceX Dragon cargo module at Launch Complex 39A. HISUI will be delivered to the International Space Station on SpaceX’s 19th Commercial Resupply Services mission for NASA in December 2019. HISUI is a spaceborne hyperspectral Earth Imaging System with a reflective telescope and two grating spectrometers.

The Hyperspectral Imager Suite (HISUI), a Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) payload, arrives in its shipping container at the entrance to the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Oct. 25, 2019. The payload will be packed inside the external trunk of the SpaceX Dragon cargo module at Launch Complex 39A. HISUI will be delivered to the International Space Station on SpaceX’s 19th Commercial Resupply Services mission for NASA in December 2019. HISUI is a spaceborne hyperspectral Earth Imaging System with a reflective telescope and two grating spectrometers.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, left, shows some of the models of spacecraft and satellites in his office, to President of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Hiroshi Yamakawa, during a meeting, Thursday, April 7, 2022, at NASA Headquarters in Washington DC. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

President of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Hiroshi Yamakawa, left, and NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, pose for a photo next to a model of the Space Launch System (SLS) during a meeting, Thursday, April 7, 2022, at NASA Headquarters in Washington DC. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, left, shows some of the models of spacecraft and satellites in his office, to President of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Hiroshi Yamakawa, during a meeting, Thursday, April 7, 2022, at NASA Headquarters in Washington DC. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, right, speaks with President of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Hiroshi Yamakawa, during a meeting, Thursday, April 7, 2022, at NASA Headquarters in Washington DC. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

iss055e004890 (3/24/2018) --- Photographic documentation taken during JAXA Protein Crystal Growth (PCG) Installation into the Protein Crystallization Research Facility (PCRF) of the Ryutai Rack.

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, left, speaks with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) President, Hiroshi Yamakawa, about opportunities to work together in human and robotic exploration at the lunar surface and around the Moon, at the Space Symposium, Monday, April 8, 2019 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. They also discussed the two agencies’ asteroid sample return missions, OSIRIS-REx AND Hayabusa-2, and how they are looking forward to sharing the data and results from those missions. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine speaks with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) President, Hiroshi Yamakawa, about opportunities to work together in human and robotic exploration at the lunar surface and around the Moon, at the Space Symposium, Monday, April 8, 2019 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. They also discussed the two agencies’ asteroid sample return missions, OSIRIS-REx AND Hayabusa-2, and how they are looking forward to sharing the data and results from those missions. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, right, poses for a photo with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) President, Hiroshi Yamakawa, just before meeting to discuss opportunities to work together in human and robotic exploration at the lunar surface and around the Moon, at the Space Symposium, Monday, April 8, 2019 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. They also discussed the two agencies’ asteroid sample return missions, OSIRIS-REx AND Hayabusa-2, and how they are looking forward to sharing the data and results from those missions. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

The Hyperspectral Imager Suite (HISUI), a Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) payload, is lifted off of its transporter in its shipping container at the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Oct. 25, 2019. The payload will be packed inside the external trunk of the SpaceX Dragon cargo module at Launch Complex 39A. HISUI will be delivered to the International Space Station on SpaceX’s 19th Commercial Resupply Services mission for NASA in December 2019. HISUI is a spaceborne hyperspectral Earth Imaging System with a reflective telescope and two grating spectrometers.

The Hyperspectral Imager Suite (HISUI), a Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) payload, arrives in its shipping container on a flatbed truck at the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Oct. 25, 2019. The payload will be packed inside the external trunk of the SpaceX Dragon cargo module at Launch Complex 39A. HISUI will be delivered to the International Space Station on SpaceX’s 19th Commercial Resupply Services mission for NASA in December 2019. HISUI is a spaceborne hyperspectral Earth Imaging System with a reflective telescope and two grating spectrometers.

The Hyperspectral Imager Suite (HISUI), a Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) payload, arrives in its shipping container on a flatbed truck at the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Oct. 25, 2019. The payload will be packed inside the external trunk of the SpaceX Dragon cargo module at Launch Complex 39A. HISUI will be delivered to the International Space Station on SpaceX’s 19th Commercial Resupply Services mission for NASA in December 2019. HISUI is a spaceborne hyperspectral Earth Imaging System with a reflective telescope and two grating spectrometers.

jsc2025e032710 (March 20, 2025) --- JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui is photographed during an interview in a studio at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, before his upcoming mission to the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel

jsc2025e032707 (March 20, 2025) --- JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui is photographed during an interview in a studio at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, before his upcoming mission to the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel

jsc2024e076519 (Nov. 19, 2024) --- JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui poses for a photo in his spacesuit during space station airlock testing at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Credit: NASA/James Blair

jsc2025e012273 - (February 17, 2025) --- SpaceX Crew-10 Mission Specialist Takuya Onishi of JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) in his flight suit at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

iss069e082580 (August 27, 2023) -- JAXA astronaut and Crew-7 Mission Specialist, Satoshi Furukawa, smiles for a photo while holding a welcome message from the Expedition 69 crew, following Crew-7's arrival to the International Space Station.

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, fifth from left, speaks with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) President, Hiroshi Yamakawa, second from right, about opportunities to work together in human and robotic exploration at the lunar surface and around the Moon, at the Space Symposium, Monday, April 8, 2019 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. They also discussed the two agencies’ asteroid sample return missions, OSIRIS-REx AND Hayabusa-2, and how they are looking forward to sharing the data and results from those missions. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

jsc2025e012274 - (February 17, 2025) --- SpaceX Crew-10 Mission Specialist Takuya Onishi of JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) smiles in his flight suit at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

jsc2024e079794 (Nov. 20, 2024) --- NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 Mission Specialist Takuya Onishi of JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) is pictured inside a mockup of a Dragon cockpit at the company's facilities in Hawthorne, California. Credit: SpaceX

jsc2025e064530 (May 19, 2025) --- NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 mission specialist and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Kimiya Yui participates in a training session at SpaceX facilities in Hawthorne, California. Credit: SpaceX

jsc2025e064529 (May 19, 2025) --- NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 mission specialist and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Kimiya Yui participates in a training session at SpaceX facilities in Hawthorne, California. Credit: SpaceX

Official portrait of JAXA astronaut Soichi Noguchi in EMU suit. Photo taken in bldg 8, rm. 183 - Photo studio.

JSC2010-E-188665 (25 Nov. 2010) --- The H-II Transfer Vehicle 2 (Kounotori 2) is pictured during media day at the JAXA Tanegashima Space Center, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan on Nov. 25, 2010. Reporters were invited to the Space Center to see the fully assembled HTV2. Photo credit: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

JSC2010-E-188666 (25 Nov. 2010) --- The H-II Transfer Vehicle 2 (Kounotori 2) is pictured during media day at the JAXA Tanegashima Space Center, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan on Nov. 25, 2010. Reporters were invited to the Space Center to see the fully assembled HTV2. Photo credit: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

JSC2010-E-188664 (25 Nov. 2010) --- The H-II Transfer Vehicle 2 (Kounotori 2) is pictured during media day at the JAXA Tanegashima Space Center, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan on Nov. 25, 2010. Reporters were invited to the Space Center to see the fully assembled HTV2. Photo credit: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

iss056e075928 (7/3/2018) --- Astronaut Alexander Gerst of ESA (European Space Agency), during the JAXA Protein Crystal Growth (PCG) sample retrieval from the Freezer-Refrigerator Of Stirling Cycle 2 (FROST2) and initiation of the crystallization of the samples before inserting them back into the FROST2, where crystallization will continue.

jsc2024e080749 (Dec. 13, 2024) --- NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 Mission Specialist Takuya Onishi of JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), stands in front of a Falcon 9 first-stage booster at SpaceX’s HangarX facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Credit: SpaceX

jsc2025e011983_alt (Feb. 24, 2025) --- JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut and mission specialist for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 mission Kimiya Yui poses for a portrait at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Credit: NASA/Robert Markowitz

jsc2025e011976_alt (Feb. 26, 2025) --- JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut and mission specialist for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 mission Kimiya Yui poses for a portrait at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Credit: NASA/Robert Markowitz

jsc2024e079793 (Nov. 20, 2024) --- NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 Mission Specialist Takuya Onishi of JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) is pictured training inside a mockup of a Dragon cockpit at the company's facilities in Hawthorne, California. Credit: SpaceX

jsc2024e079792 (Nov. 20, 2024) --- NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 Mission Specialist Takuya Onishi of JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) is pictured training inside a mockup of a Dragon cockpit at the company's facilities in Hawthorne, California. Credit: SpaceX

jsc2025e064531 (May 19, 2025) --- NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 mission specialist and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Kimiya Yui poses for a photo during a training session at SpaceX facilities in Hawthorne, California. Credit SpaceX

jsc2025e064532 (May 19, 2025) --- NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 mission specialist and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Kimiya Yui poses for a photo during a training session at SpaceX facilities in Hawthorne, California. Credit SpaceX

jsc2025e064534 (May 19, 2025) --- NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 mission specialist and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Kimiya Yui poses for a photo during a training session at SpaceX facilities in Hawthorne, California. Credit SpaceX

jsc2025e064533 (May 19, 2025) --- NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 mission specialist and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Kimiya Yui poses for a photo during a training session at SpaceX facilities in Hawthorne, California. Credit SpaceX

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Space Station Processing Facility, a Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) technician inspects the wiring on the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM). The JEM, developed by JAXA for use on the International Space Station, is named Kibo -- which means "hope" in Japanese -- and will enhance the unique research capabilities of the orbiting complex by providing an additional environment for astronauts to conduct science experiments. Research conducted in Kibo will focus on space medicine, biology, Earth observations, material production, biotechnology and communications. Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Space Station Processing Facility, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) technicians inspect the wiring on the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM). The JEM, developed by JAXA for use on the International Space Station, is named Kibo -- which means "hope" in Japanese -- and will enhance the unique research capabilities of the orbiting complex by providing an additional environment for astronauts to conduct science experiments. Research conducted in Kibo will focus on space medicine, biology, Earth observations, material production, biotechnology and communications. Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller

jsc2024e066731_alt (Oct. 4, 2024) --- JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut and Expedition 73 Commander Takuya Onishi poses for a crew portrait at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Onishi is also Mission Specialist for NASA's SpaceX Crew-10 mission to the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Bill Stafford/Helen Arase Vargas

jsc2024e066732 (Oct. 4, 2024) --- JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut and Expedition 73 Commander Takuya Onishi poses for a crew portrait at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Onishi is also Mission Specialist for NASA's SpaceX Crew-10 mission to the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Bill Stafford/Helen Arase Vargas

A concept image of a pressurized rover on the surface of the Moon with its solar arrays deployed. Image Credit: JAXA/Toyota

iss049e045287 (10/21/2016) --- Photographic documentation taken during JAXA Protein Crystal Growth (PCG) Installation into the Protein Crystallization Research Facility (PCRF) of the Ryutai Rack.

iss073e0221788 (June 19, 2025) --- JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut and Expedition 73 Commander Takuya Onishi organizes cargo bags inside the International Space Station's Unity module.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Space Station Processing Facility, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) technicians install piping insulation on the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM). The JEM, developed by JAXA for use on the International Space Station, is named Kibo -- which means "hope" in Japanese -- and will enhance the unique research capabilities of the orbiting complex by providing an additional environment for astronauts to conduct science experiments. Research conducted in Kibo will focus on space medicine, biology, Earth observations, material production, biotechnology and communications. Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Space Station Processing Facility, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) technicians install piping insulation on the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM). The JEM, developed by JAXA for use on the International Space Station, is named Kibo -- which means "hope" in Japanese -- and will enhance the unique research capabilities of the orbiting complex by providing an additional environment for astronauts to conduct science experiments. Research conducted in Kibo will focus on space medicine, biology, Earth observations, material production, biotechnology and communications. Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller

jsc2020e040981 (9/4/2019) --- I view of the IVA-SOFPADS floating inside the Kibo module aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The objective of the Smart Optical Fibers for Passive Dosimetry in Space (SOFPADS), or Fiber Dosimeter, investigation is to evaluate the use of fabricated optical fibers as space radiation passive dosimeters to monitor the radiation environment inside and outside of the International Space Station (ISS). Image Credit: NASA/JAXA

JSC2015E053681 (04/30/2015) --- Expedition 44 Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Kimiya Yui.

iss073e0001873 (April 22, 2025) --- (From left) Astronauts Jonny Kim of NASA and Takuya Onishi of JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), Expedition 73 Flight Engineer and Commander respectively, work inside the International Space Station's Destiny laboratory module stowing cargo recently delivered aboard the SpaceX Dragon cargo craft.

iss073e1043652 (Oct. 29, 2025) --- JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut and Expedition 73 Flight Engineer Kimiya Yui inspects and cleans hardware inside the Life Support Module aboard the International Space Station's Columbus laboratory module.

Shuzo Takada, Director General, Cabinet Office, Japan, left; Yoshiyuki Kasai, Chairman, National Space Policy Committee, Japan; Jim Bridenstine, NASA Administrator; and Hiroshi Yamakawa, President, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, right, pose for a photograph during a courtesy visit to discuss ongoing cooperation, Wednesday, June 27, 2018 at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

jsc2025e034085 (Dec. 4, 2024) --- JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Kimiya Yui, a mission specialist for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 mission to the International Space Station, trains for his mission in a SpaceX Dragon mockup at a SpaceX facility in Hawthorne, California.

jsc2025e034091 (Dec. 5, 2024) --- JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Kimiya Yui, a mission specialist for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 mission to the International Space Station, trains for his mission at a SpaceX facility in Hawthorne, California.

jsc2025e034092 (Dec. 5, 2024) --- JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Kimiya Yui, a mission specialist for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 mission to the International Space Station, trains for his mission at a SpaceX facility in Hawthorne, California.

jsc2025e060300 (May 19, 2025) --- JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Kimiya Yui, mission specialist of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 mission to the International Space Station, poses for a portrait in his pressure suit at SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, California. Credit: SpaceX

NASA Astronaut Rick Mastracchio and JAXA Astronaut Koichi Wakata visit the Earth Science Division at the Goddard Space Flight Center in the GPM control room with James Pawloski

iss073e0814551 (Sept. 27, 2025) --- JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut and Expedition 73 Flight Engineer Kimiya Yui smiles for a portrait during weekend housecleaning activities inside the International Space Station's Harmony module.

iss051e052364 (6/2/2017) --- European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Thomas Pesquet works to remove Canisters from the Protein Crystallization Research Facility (PCRF) for handover to cosmonaut Oleg Novitskiy. The image was taken in the Kibo Japanese Experiment Pressurized Module (JPM) during Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Protein Crystal Growth (PCG) and Kristallizator experiment operations (OPS).

HOUSTON, Texas -- JSC2007-E-19404: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Koichi Wakata, flight engineer on mission STS-119.

PHOTO DATE: 09-17-10 LOCATION: Bldg. 9NW - ISS Mockups SUBJECT: JAXA astronaut and Expedition 28 crew member Satoshi Furukawa during P HRF Integ Cardio Integration Ops training WORK ORDER: 02810-BS__HRFSATOSHI_09-17-10 PHOTOGRAPHER: BILL STAFFORD

Expedition 28 JAXA Astronaut Satoshi Furukawa and Astronaut Mike Fossum during FF RNDZ ADV 4 training. Training includes HTV rendezvous operation. Photo Date: September 15, 2010. Location: Building 30 - SIM City. Photographer: Robert Markowitz.

PHOTO DATE: 09-17-10 LOCATION: Bldg. 9NW - ISS Mockups SUBJECT: JAXA astronaut and Expedition 28 crew member Satoshi Furukawa during P HRF Integ Cardio Integration Ops training WORK ORDER: 02810-BS__HRFSATOSHI_09-17-10 PHOTOGRAPHER: BILL STAFFORD

JSC2010-E-008557 (12 Jan. 2010) --- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, STS-131 mission specialist, participates in a Thermal Protection System (TPS) Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS) training session in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA?s Johnson Space Center.

PHOTO DATE: 01-25-11 LOCATION: Bldg 9NW, ISS Mockups SUBJECT: Expedition 28 crew member and JAXA astronaut Satoshi Furukawa during ISS EVA P/P 33105 training with STS-135 crew members PHOTOGRAPHER: James Blair

PHOTO DATE: 09-17-10 LOCATION: Bldg. 9NW - ISS Mockups SUBJECT: JAXA astronaut and Expedition 28 crew member Satoshi Furukawa during P HRF Integ Cardio Integration Ops training WORK ORDER: 02810-BS__HRFSATOSHI_09-17-10 PHOTOGRAPHER: BILL STAFFORD

JSC2010-E-008553 (12 Jan. 2010) --- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, STS-131 mission specialist, participates in a Thermal Protection System (TPS) Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS) training session in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA?s Johnson Space Center.

PHOTO DATE: 01-25-11 LOCATION: Bldg 9NW, ISS Mockups SUBJECT: Expedition 28 crew member and JAXA astronaut Satoshi Furukawa during ISS EVA P/P 33105 training with STS-135 crew members PHOTOGRAPHER: James Blair

Expedition 28 JAXA Astronaut Satoshi Furukawa and Astronaut Mike Fossum during FF RNDZ ADV 4 training. Training includes HTV rendezvous operation. Photo Date: September 15, 2010. Location: Building 30 - SIM City. Photographer: Robert Markowitz.

Expedition 28 JAXA Astronaut Satoshi Furukawa and Astronaut Mike Fossum during FF RNDZ ADV 4 training. Training includes HTV rendezvous operation. Photo Date: September 15, 2010. Location: Building 30 - SIM City. Photographer: Robert Markowitz.

PHOTO DATE: 01-25-11 LOCATION: Bldg 9NW, ISS Mockups SUBJECT: Expedition 28 crew member and JAXA astronaut Satoshi Furukawa during ISS EVA P/P 33105 training with STS-135 crew members PHOTOGRAPHER: James Blair

PHOTO DATE: 01-26-11 LOCATION: Bldg. 9NW - ISS Mockups SUBJECT: Expedition 29 JAXA astronaut Satoshi Furukawa during Emergency Scenario Training WORK ORDER: 00374-BS__SATOSHIEMERTRAINING_01-26-11 PHOTOGRAPHER: BILL STAFFORD

Expedition 28 JAXA Astronaut Satoshi Furukawa and Astronaut Mike Fossum during FF RNDZ ADV 4 training. Training includes HTV rendezvous operation. Photo Date: September 15, 2010. Location: Building 30 - SIM City. Photographer: Robert Markowitz.

PHOTO DATE: 01-25-11 LOCATION: Bldg 9NW, ISS Mockups SUBJECT: Expedition 28 crew member and JAXA astronaut Satoshi Furukawa during ISS EVA P/P 33105 training with STS-135 crew members PHOTOGRAPHER: James Blair

PHOTO DATE: 02-03-11 LOCATION: Bldg 26, 104 SUBJECT: Photograph JAXA astronaut and Expedition 28 crew member Satoshi Furukawa during ARED PT training. Instructors are Robert Tweedy (glasses) and BruceNieschwitz PHOTOGRAPHER: James Blair

PHOTO DATE: 09-17-10 LOCATION: Bldg. 9NW - ISS Mockups SUBJECT: JAXA astronaut and Expedition 28 crew member Satoshi Furukawa during P HRF Integ Cardio Integration Ops training WORK ORDER: 02810-BS__HRFSATOSHI_09-17-10 PHOTOGRAPHER: BILL STAFFORD

PHOTO DATE: 01-26-11 LOCATION: Bldg. 9NW - ISS Mockups SUBJECT: Expedition 29 JAXA astronaut Satoshi Furukawa during Emergency Scenario Training WORK ORDER: 00374-BS__SATOSHIEMERTRAINING_01-26-11 PHOTOGRAPHER: BILL STAFFORD