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2\21 Japan - NASDA Report No 127 - 2003 JAN
Part 3 of 3

We applied these techniques to modify the gas sensor to withstand the
space environment. This sensor was tested in the 1G environment for
basic function, as well as in the micro-gravity (µG) environment
created in the drop tower. The sensor performed well in these tests.
It was also tested with the actual materials used in the pressurized
module of the manned spacecraft. The materials were heated in the heat 
chamber, and the generated off-gas was successfully detected by the 
sensor. 

Detected gas                Sensor type

Hydrogen fluoride
HF                          Immobilized
                            electrolyte
Carbon monoxide             using
CO                          controlled
                            potential
Hydrogen chloride           electrolysis
HCl

Nitrogen dioxide
NO2

Hydrogen cyanide            Gelled
HCN                         Controlled
                            potential
Hydrazine                   electrolysis
H2NNH2

Odor            Hot wire
            semiconductor type

In 2001, the basic functionality of the sensor was tested for the
longer duration (20 seconds) of micro gravity (µG) using the aircraft. 
The sensor was confirmed to satisfy the required specifications in 
this test. 

Based on the tests and development completed so far, we have engaged
in the manufacturing the actual off-gas monitoring device for the
pressurized module of manned spacecraft in 2002. We plan to conduct
verification tests in the Space Shuttle and ISS for operating the
device under the actual space environment from 2003. 


Importance of Development in the Quest for Safety
-------------------------------------------------
The results obtained up to 2002 through various studies are already
compiled in a handbook and distributed to each manned space project
team. It has been utilized for designing and safety management of the
manned space equipments. 

The safety design to prevent the unexpected disaster, such as fire,
and the careful consideration towards the operation, are obviously
more important for long duration mission like the space station
project than for previous missions. However, even NASA does not have
the enough experience and technologies for the safety of such a long
duration manned space flight. Therefore, NASDA has to develop the
technologies it needs on its own. 

As the long-term manned space flight has become a reality for
Japanese, NASDA's Human Flight Safety Research is of vital importance
to guaranteeing the complete safety of its crewmembers. 


Let Us Talk Space Challengers
=============================

Interview with Amateur Astronomer Mr. Kazuro Watanabe
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Investigating Space as an Amateur Astronomer
--------------------------------------------
In the Uchu Fureai Juku 2001, an established space seminar to
commemorate the annual Space Day, a name was chosen for an asteroid.
Probably in part because the space seminar was held in Osaka, the
participants chose the name "Takoyaki", which was recognized by the
International Astronomical Union (IAU). We had an opportunity to chat
with the person who discovered the asteroid, Kazuro Watanabe, about
stargazing and space. 

Interviewer: First, could you tell us briefly the process one goes
through from observing and discovering an asteroid to its naming? 

Watanabe: Well, there are various methods of observation using
photographs and CCD. First, you take an image of the starry sky using
one of these methods, although CCD is most commonly used. If your
image contains a minor planet, you research to find out what it is.
If it is a new planet, then you continue observing it to determine its 
movement. However, when the sky clouds up and observation becomes
impossible and when you resume observations after the sky clears, the
planet is nowhere to be found (laughs). After observing it three
times, you determine its tentative orbital elements. Here, a
provisional designation is first given to the planet. When a permanent 
designation is received, you are invited to suggest a name for that 
planet. 

Interviewer: It seems that numerous new asteroids are discovered in
Japan.

Watanabe: Well, for comets and asteroids, it has become quite
difficult because there is LINEAR (Lincoln Near Earth Asteroid
Research project for detecting near Earth asteroids), which employs
huge telescopes that work automatically. They can even pick up dark
objects in the sky. An amateur astronomer is really no match for
LINEAR. That's why asteroids being named were discovered about ten
years ago. Takoyaki was discovered on November 9, 1991. The
provisional designation was 1991VR3 and its orbit was determined more
definitively by later tracking observations. The registration number
is 6562. It was a lot of fun seeing everyone enjoy naming the
asteroid. You may not be able to see the asteroid, but knowing there
is an asteroid out there that you helped name makes space feel more
close to home. 

Interviewer: Even though stargazing and space development focus on the 
same space, I wonder if the interests are different. What do you
think? 

Watanabe: Well, I have a broad interest in space. I saw, for example,
Echo and Pageos. (Note: both of these balloon satellites were launched 
by NASA in the 60s and could be seen brightly in the sky.) And then 
there is the Experimental Geodetic Satellite Ajisai, EGS, which I also 
observed. I visited the Tsukuba Space Center in relation to that. 
Recently, I have also been involved as an instructor at the local YAC 
(Young Astronauts Club). 

Interviewer: Wouldn't it be nice if a probe like Muses-C launched by
ISAS were to visit the asteroid you discovered? It seems appropriate
for a probe launched by Japan to investigate an asteroid discovered by 
a Japanese. 

Watanabe: No, that's just not possible (laughs). That type of probe
can only target asteroids on specific orbits approaching the Earth. I
wouldn't be able to discover such asteroids (laughs). I have thousands 
of dollars worth of equipment to perform observations, but I can't 
compete with professional observers (laughs). 

*

Editor's Note
In Hokkaido, where Watanabe lives, the path of the sun has a low
ecliptic, making Hokkaido very ill-suited for discovering asteroids,
most of which travel along this ecliptic. Despite this, Japan's
asteroid tracker Watanabe has discovered quite a number of asteroids,
showing that his laid back attitude has been successful. 

Watanabe underscored his undying interest in space in this interview,
revealing how his efforts have been fueled by his passion for space. 

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