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

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.

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