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| "She has more energy than anyone I know of." --John Glenn, astronaut, referring to Chiaki Mukai when speaking at a press conference in 1999. |
EXPLORER HERO:
CHIAKI MUKAI
by Claudia Herrera Hudson
Praised and loved both by the Japanese government and people, Chiaki Mukai has blazed new trails into a field previously unheard of for women. She has become an incredible success in her field as Japan’s first female astronaut, and yet another source of pride for Japanese people worldwide.
Chiaki, who has received a plethora of awards for her work as an astronaut, began in a seemingly unrelated field. Born in Tatebayashi, in the Gunma Prefecture on May 6th, 1952, she moved to Toyko for school and eventually studied medicine at Keio University. She received her doctorate degree in medicine in 1977 and, after two residencies, returned to school to specialize in cardiovascular surgery. Later, she would return to receive her degree in physiology. At Keio University, she met her husband, a fellow doctor by the name of Mukai Makio, and they married in 1982.
Her first flight came in July of 1994, making her the first female Japanese astronaut. A true physician and scientist at heart, Chiaki eagerly participated in several physiological experiments in zero gravity. The mission was designated, among other things, as an extended duration orbit mission focusing on medical experiments related to the cardiovascular system, the autonomic nerve system, and bone and muscle metabolism.
Chiaki’s energy exudes in her amazing work ethic and her busy schedule. She currently remains a visiting professor at Keio University Hospital, though she is based at the Johnson Space Center in the United States. She is also a Research Instructor at the Department of Surgery of Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. Her boundless energy is evident in her overabundance of physical hobbies as well, which include Alpine competitive skiing, bass fishing, tennis, golf and scuba diving.
Knowing well that the general public is not yet fully aware of the extent of benefits which space exploration has to offer, Chiaki makes it a point to bring astronauts a bit ‘closer to home’ to the Japanese people. She always keeps the public in mind, and encourages them to participate in other ways. Recently, she created a national competition to have the Japanese public finish a traditional “tanka” poem of which she had written the first three lines. The subject: weightlessness. Later, she brought together the children of Japan to help her find a name for her toy teddy bear. It is simple, yet powerful actions like these which set Chiaki apart from the “average” success story. Evidently, she remains close to Japan at heart and has remained humble despite her grand achievements.
The Japanese government has stated that it considers her a “triumph of determination, perseverance, and hard work.” Among an array of awards, Chiaki has received: the “Outstanding Service Award” by the Society of Japanese Women Scientists (1996), “Special Congressional Recognition” by the U.S. Congress (1995), the “Prime Minister’s Special Citation for Contributions to Gender Equality” (1995), the “Minister of State for Science and Technology’s Commendation” (1994 & 1992), the “Outstanding Service Award” by the National Space Development Agency of Japan (1994 & 1992), and the “Award for Distinguished Accomplishments” by the Tokyo Women’s Foundation (1994). Chiaki Mukai is honored both because of the amazing accomplishments she has garnered for her field and country, but also for what she has done for the advancement of womankind.
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Written by
Claudia Herrera Hudson
Photos courtesy of NASDA/NASA SPACEBOY.NASDA.GOV PHOTO LIBRARY |
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Tanka Poetry The history of Japanese Tanka poetry, and examples thereof National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) links to many articles about Chiaki. Nasa Site bios Chiaki's biography from Nasa |
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| Mariama Khan writes poetry to champion the cause of the voiceless. | Marian Anderson was a world-renowned opera singer. | Marian Wright Edelman is one of the country's leading advocates for children. | Marie Curie discovered radioactivity as an atomic property, opening the door to 20th century science. |
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| Mariel (Mia) Hamm has inspired the next generation of women athletes with her talent, her mentoring and her humanitarian work. | Marjory Stoneman Douglas worked tirelessly to preserve the Everglades. | Mary Baker Eddy was the founder of Christian Science. | Mary Edwards Walker was the first and only woman to receive the U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor |
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| Mary Harris Jones worked to free men, women, and children from industrial slavery. | Mary Lou Naso & Harry visit hospitals to spread smiles. | Mary Lyon established the U.S.'s first college for women. | Mary Mason Lyon Mary Lyon, an American pioneer, transformed education for women. |
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| Maxine Waters is a Congresswoman who works fervently for her community. | Maya Angelou is a beloved female author and poet. | Maya Lin is an architect and sculptor. | Meenakshi Wadhwa studies meteorites and the processes involved in their formation. |
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| Mia Hamm has inspired the next generation of women athletes. | Mildred "Babe" Didrikson excelled in every sport she played. | Mother Teresa gained international prominence as a modern-day saint. | Mrs. Mei Ng: Friends of the Earth (Hong Kong) uses education to foster environmental awareness in China |
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| Nawal El Saadawi continued writing while in prison, her words could not be silenced. | Nellie McClung believed in equal rights for all women | Nickole Evans is using technology for peace. | Ntozake Shange is the inventor of the choreopoem. |
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| Oprah was honored by the Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity . | Oprah Winfrey's Leadership Academy for Girls has opened up opportunities to South African girls. | Oriana Fallaci was an important Italian journalist. | Oseola McCarty donated her life savings so others could go to college. |
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| Phillis Wheatley was the first distinguished African-American poet. | Picabo Street is one of the greatest alpine skiers ever. | Pleasant T. Rowland created the American Girls Collection. | Princess Diana campaigned passionately for various causes. |
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| Queen Emma left a legacy of hospitals and schools for the people of Hawaii | Queen Noor passionately works for peace, human rights, and wildlife conservation. | Queen Rania of Jordan is a crusader for the rights of women and children. | RA Kartini fought for women's rights in Indonesia |
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| Rachel Carson was the mother of the environmental movement. | Raden Ajeng Kartini championed education and civil rights for women in Indonesia. | Raden Ayu Kartini worked to give Indonesian women the right to an education | Raja Weksler helped her daughter survive in a concentration camp. |
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| RAWA promotes women's rights through non-violent action. | Rigoberta Menchu Tum was the first Guatemalan to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. | Roberta Guaspari-Tzavaras uses music to inspire children to learn. | Robyn Van En worked to save organic farming businesses in North America. |
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| Rokhaya Gueye treats malaria and raises awareness about women's health issues in Senegal. | Rosa Parks made history when she refused to sit in the back of the bus. | Rosalynn Carter is a humanitarian and former First lady who inspires others through her good works. | Rosario Iglesias was 80 years old when she became a runner and started to win medals. |
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| Rose Marie Thomas donated time and effort to combatting childhood catastrophic diseases. | Rosemarie L. Poeppelman is a foster mom and an adoptive parent who has changed the lives of many children. | Rosemary MacAdam is a young activist determined to fight the oppression of women in sweatshops. | Ruby Bridges bravely led the way to desegregation of schools as a child. |
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| Ruth Simmons is breaking down barriers in the world of higher education. | Sabriye Tenberken helps to educate and better the lives of blind people living in Tibet. | Sacajawea guided Lewis and Clark across the northwestern territories. | Sadako Sasaki inspired an international peace movement. |
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| Sally Fox produced a cotton that naturally comes in different colors. | Sally Ride was the first American woman to go into space. | Sandra Begay-Campbell is a Native American engineer who brings solar-powered energy to the Navajo reservation. | Sandra Kay Yow is admired for being a groundbreaking collegiate women's basketball coach and for her brave battle against cancer. |
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| Sandra Postel believes in the importance of water conservation. | Sandra Schmirler was Saskatchewan's beloved curling champion. | SAUR MARLINA MANURUNG provides educational opportunities in a remote Indonesian village. | September McGee is an artist and a teacher. |
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| Shania Twain is a beloved country music singer who overcame the odds. | Shannon Hackett studies the genetic diversity and evolution in tropical birds. | Sojourner Truth born into slavery, worked for the freedom of all. | Sor Juana Inez de la Cruz couldn't live without learning. |
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| Stephanie Jenouvrier is a population ecologist researching the effects of climate change on emperor penguins. | Susan B. Anthony led the early Women's Suffrage Movement. | Susie King Taylor was a pioneer in the struggle for African American women's rights. | Suzanne Mubarak works to ensure education for the children of Egypt and the world. |
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| Sylvia Earle is a marine biologist and ambassador of the oceans. | Tania Ruiz is an astrophysicist committed to science education and helping women reach their goals. | Thais Corral gives women a voice in their communities through access to communication technology. | Titiek Puspa with her music and compassionate lyrics has inspired women throughout Indonesia. |
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| Tori Degen is a cancer survivor who helps others with MAKE A WISH Foundation | Usha Varanasi is the first woman to lead a Fisheries Science Center. | Venus Williams won the 2000 US Open tennis tournament. | Vicky Colbert de Arboleda is a leader in the movement to transform education in Colombia to provide equal access to all children. |
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| Victoria Woodhull was the first woman to run for President of the U.S. | Wang Yani has been painting since she was three years old. | Waris Dirie works to protect the rights of women. | Wilma Rudolph was the first American woman to win 3 Olympic gold medals. |
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| Women Heroes Of the Early West were strong, valiant women who broke social constraints. | Zaha Hadid is the first woman to be awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize. | Zohra Ben Lakhdar is a physicist from Africa who does research on atomic spectroscopy. |
Last changed on:2/12/2007 10:53:23 AM
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