Satoshi Furukawa

Satoshi Furukawa (born April 4, 1964) is a Japanese astronaut and medical doctor who was selected by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in 1999. He is a veteran of one long-duration mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Early life and education

Furukawa was born in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. He graduated from the University of Tokyo Faculty of Medicine in 1989 and completed his doctorate in medicine in 2000.

Career

After graduation, Furukawa worked as a surgeon at the University of Tokyo Hospital. He was selected as an astronaut candidate by JAXA in February 1999. He completed two years of astronaut candidate training at the Johnson Space Center and was certified as an ISS astronaut in 2001.

Furukawa's first spaceflight was as a flight engineer for Expedition 28 and Expedition 29 aboard the ISS from June to November 2011. During his stay, he conducted various scientific research experiments and maintenance work.

Personal life

Furukawa is married with two children. He enjoys baseball, golf, and music.

See also

• List of astronauts by year of selection
• List of International Space Station expeditions