Akihiko Hoshide (SEA 85-87) is currently an Astronaut with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).  In March, 2007, Hoshide was selected as an onboard crew member for the Space Shuttle mission for the second launch of the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo" to the International Space Station (ISS).

 

Hoshide received a Bachelor's Degree in mechanical engineering from Keio University and a Master of Science Degree in aerospace engineering from the University Of Houston Cullen College Of Engineering.

 

Hoshide joined the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA, currently Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) in 1992 and first worked as a member of NASDA's Nagoya office. For two years in Nagoya, he was involved in the development of the H-II rocket. From 1994 to 1999, he worked as an astronaut support engineer for the NASDA Astronaut Office, supporting the development of the astronaut training program and the evaluation of crew interfaces designs. He also supported astronaut Koichi Wakata during his training and mission on STS-72.

 

In February 1999, Hoshide was selected by NASDA as one of three Japanese astronaut candidates for the International Space Station (ISS), together with Dr. Satoshi Furukawa and Naoko Yamazaki.  Hoshide started NASDA's Basic Training program in April 1999 and was certified as an astronaut in January 2001.

 

Since April 2001, he participated in ISS Advanced Training, as well as supporting the development of the hardware and operation of the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo" and the H-IIA Transfer Vehicle (HTV).  In May 2004, Hoshide was certified as a Soyuz-TMA Flight Engineer and was dispatched to NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) in June to be certified as Mission Specialists (MS).   He went through training (basic training) to become a MS mainly at JSC for about a year and eight months, and was certified in Feb, 2006.