BIO
Born in Chigasaki, Japan, Dr. Soichi Noguchi has flown three spaceflight missions and broke a Guinness World Record as the first astronaut to ever accomplish three different Earth re-entry methods. Ever since he was a child, Noguchi always dreamed of becoming an astronaut. He studied Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Tokyo and, after graduating, worked as an engineer in the research and development wing of the IHI Corporation, helping to design aircraft jet engines. Finally, in 1996, Noguchi was recruited as an astronaut candidate by the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA). After initial screenings, he was immediately sent to Houston, USA, to pass through a final selection process and begin training at NASA, as Japan did not have a human spaceflight program. Training was rigorous, and included technical training, pilot training, survival training, and spacewalk training. By 2000, Noguchi was a fully certified astronaut.
In 2005, Noguchi flew his first spaceflight mission as a Mission Specialist aboard the STS-114. This was NASA’s “return to flight” mission, the first to follow the tragic Columbia disaster. There, he performed three spacewalks involving technical work and repairs. In 2009, after undergoing further training at Star City in Moscow, Noguchi flew his second mission as the first Japanese left-seater on the Russian Soyuz spacecraft. On this mission, he spent five and a half months in space, carrying out tasks and experiments at the International Space Station (ISS). Finally, in 2020, Noguchi flew his third mission as a Mission Specialist aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, the first private crewed mission to the ISS. There, he conducted various experiments, including growing bok choy in space! He also performed his fourth spacewalk, breaking another Guinness World Record for the longest time between spacewalks.
After his NASA term ends, Noguchi will join his family in Japan and perhaps explore other interests such as teaching or research. He attributes much of his success as an astronaut to an affinity for teamwork and emphasizes the importance of international cooperation and friendship. Noguchi is currently the President of the Association of Space Explorers (ASE), Asian chapter, and volunteers annually for the Boy Scouts in when visiting Japan. He hopes that young children will nurture an interest in space travel and encourages them never to give up on their dreams.