A Young Surgeon and a Seasoned Disaster Specialist
Ayu Yoneda, 29, and Makoto Suwa, 47, have officially become Japan's youngest and oldest astronauts, respectively. Their certification marks a significant milestone in their journey to the stars, with exciting possibilities for future space missions.
Yoneda, a former surgeon at the Japanese Red Cross Medical Center, expressed her desire to inspire children with the wonders of space. Suwa, previously a senior disaster risk management specialist at the World Bank, shared his aspirations to contribute to the advancements in space exploration during this transformative era.
Their journey began in 2023 when JAXA, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, held its first open astronaut recruitment since 2009. Facing stiff competition from a record 4,127 applicants, Yoneda and Suwa emerged victorious, joining the ranks of Japan's elite space explorers.
With their addition, the total number of JAXA astronauts reaches 13, seven of whom are actively serving. The two newcomers will continue their rigorous training, eagerly awaiting their deployment on future space missions.
One potential opportunity lies in NASA's Artemis program, a manned lunar probe mission. If selected, Yoneda and Suwa could become the first Japanese astronauts to walk on the moon, etching their names in history.
Their diverse backgrounds and unwavering dedication to space exploration make Yoneda and Suwa valuable assets to JAXA. Their journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring astronauts and a testament to the boundless possibilities that await humanity in the vast expanse of space.