A New ISS Commander and a First for Japan.

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Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Koichi Wakata is the new commander of mission 39 of the ISS.

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Wakata has been a member of four NASA Space Shuttle missions and a long-duration stay on the International Space Station.  He has logged more five months in space over the past twenty years.

International_Space_Station_after_undocking

Yesterday, March 10, 2014, Wakata took over command of the ISS.  Previously, Wakata was a crew member on ISS missions 18, 19, and 20.  He is the first person  serve on five different crews without returning to Earth: STS-119, Expedition 18, Expedition 19, Expedition 20 and STS-127.

Congratulations Commander Wakata, it is well deserved.

– Ex astris, scientia –

I am and avid amateur astronomer and intellectual property attorney in Pasadena, California and I am a Rising Star as rated by Super Lawyers Magazine.  As a former Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy, I am a proud member of the Armed Service Committee of the Los Angeles County Bar Association working to aid all active duty and veterans in our communities. Connect with me on Google +

Norman