Return of Crew Dragon Spacecraft (Crew-7) with JAXA Astronaut FURUKAWA Satoshi

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

 The Crew Dragon spacecraft (Crew-7) has safely returned to Earth with JAXA Astronaut FURUKAWA Satoshi abord, who completed his long-duration mission on the International Space Station (ISS).

NOTE:
➣　The Crew-7 crews stayed for 199 days, 2 hours and 20 minutes in space (197 days, 2 hours and 4 minutes in the ISS).
➣　Accumulative Days of JAXA Astronaut FURUKAWA Satoshi in space
・ In space: 366 days, 8 hours and 34 minutes (The second place among the Japanese astronauts)*
・ In the ISS: 362 days, 3 hours and 46 minutes (The second place among the Japanese astronauts)**
*The longest record in space is 504 days, 18 hours35 minutes by JAXA Astronaut WAKATA Koichi
**The longest record in the ISS is 482 days, 15 hours 57 minutes by JAXA Astronaut WAKATA Koichi

 I am pleased to announce the safe return of the Crew Dragon spacecraft (Crew-7) with JAXA Astronaut FURUKAWA Satoshi aboard. The spacecraft splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Pensacola, Florida today, following Satoshi’s long-term stay in the International Space Station (ISS).

 During his second time of long-duration mission on the ISS, Satoshi implemented numerous space experiments which will contribute to our daily lives such as development of elemental technologies of creating artificial organs for regenerative medicine with his proficiency as a medical doctor under his mission theme of, “Seeking Solutions Only Available from Space”. He also demonstrated drone robot technologies to reduce working time of astronauts, and conducted various experiments and technological demonstrations with private sectors. Above all, he participated in outreach events with a wide range of next generation including “Asian Try Zero-G” to perform simple space experiments proposed by students globally, as well as Kibo Robot Programming Challenge. Overall, he has contributed to international space exploration, expansion of private sector utilization and education.

 After returning to Earth, I am expecting him to leverage his experience acquired on the ISS to help JAXA Astronaut YUI Kimiya and ONISHI Takuya who will be scheduled for their ISS long-duration missions from around next year as well as to JAXA Astronaut Candidates trainings. Moreover, I am confident that he will contribute to development of activities for Low Earth Orbit toward post-ISS era, technological advancement of international space exploration and enhancement of international cooperation.

 I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our international partners, NASA, ESA, CSA, ROSCOSMOS, as well as the Japanese citizens and organizations that have provided us with precious support. Your continued support and assistance would be highly appreciated. Thank you.

March 12, 2024
YAMAKAWA Hiroshi,
President
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)