Astronaut Onishi becomes 3rd Japanese commander of Intl Space Station

Astronaut Onishi Takuya has taken charge as the third Japanese commander of the International Space Station.

A commercial spaceship carrying Onishi and others docked to the ISS in March.

A change of command ceremony took place at the station on April 18.

The outgoing commander from Russia handed Onishi the symbolic key to the ISS.

The two earlier Japanese commanders of the ISS were Wakata Koichi and Hoshide Akihiko.

S/ Onishi Takuya, ISS Commander / I think this is proof that Japan’s contributions to manned space development have been recognized by the international community and that there are expectations placed on us toward the future. I want to do my very best to meet those expectations.

Onishi and his crew are scheduled to stay on the ISS for six months and conduct experiments in the lead-up to exploration of the moon and Mars.