Akihiko Hoshide

Akihiko Hoshide

Akihiko Hoshide in 2012

Akihiko Hoshide (__ __, born December 28, 1968) is a Japanese astronaut with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). He has flown on multiple space missions and has served aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Early Life and Education

Akihiko Hoshide was born in Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan. He graduated from Hibiya High School in 1987 and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Keio University in 1992. He later earned a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Houston in 1997.

Career

JAXA Astronaut

Hoshide was selected as an astronaut candidate by the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA, now JAXA) in February 1999. He completed his training and was certified as an astronaut in 2001.

Spaceflights

STS-124

STS-124 mission patch

Hoshide's first spaceflight was aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery on STS-124, which launched on May 31, 2008. The mission delivered the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo" to the ISS.

Expedition 32/33

Expedition 32 mission patch

Expedition 33 mission patch

Hoshide flew to the ISS as a flight engineer for Expedition 32 and Expedition 33. He launched aboard Soyuz TMA-05M on July 15, 2012, and returned to Earth on November 19, 2012.

SpaceX Crew-2

SpaceX Crew-2 mission patch

Hoshide was part of the SpaceX Crew-2 mission, which launched on April 23, 2021. He served as a flight engineer for Expedition 65 and later as commander of Expedition 66.

Spacewalks

Hoshide has conducted multiple extravehicular activities (EVAs). Notably, during Expedition 32, he participated in a spacewalk to replace a Main Bus Switching Unit (MBSU) on the ISS.

Hoshide during an EVA on Expedition 32

Awards and Honors

Hoshide has received numerous awards for his contributions to space exploration, including the NASA Distinguished Service Medal and the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette.

Related Pages

• Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
• International Space Station
• Space Shuttle program
• SpaceX

Gallery

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  Expedition 65 mission patch

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  Expedition 66 mission patch

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  Akihiko Hoshide

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  STS-124 Mission Patch

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  ISS Expedition 32 Patch

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  ISS Expedition 33 Patch

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  SpaceX Crew-2 Logo

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  ISS Expedition 65 Patch

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  ISS Expedition 66 Patch

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  Akihiko Hoshide during EVA