The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said Wednesday it will start recruiting on April 1 up to three astronauts to work at the Japanese unit on the International Space Station -- the first recruitment of Japanese astronauts in a decade.
Based in the Japanese experiment module ''Kibo'' on a long term, the recruits will engage in maintenance and repairs of the ISS as well as scientific experiments, the agency said.
The move is designed to supplement personnel, which is expected to run short with the existing six astronauts to fulfill the plan to send them for five to six long stays on the ISS during its intended operation period through 2015.
The agency said it will announce the result in February next year after releasing application guidelines on April 1, accepting applicants until June 20, and selecting candidates in three stages through the screening on paper, tests of English skills and general knowledge plus interviews.
''Abilities to cooperate and communicate within a narrow and limited group on the ISS are required to be selected in addition to scientific and technological knowledge,'' Executive Director Kuniaki Shiraki said . . . more
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