National Aeronautics and Space Administration

They’re still giving me my physical. Today the Japanese team spent a while taking my temperature. They want to check all of my internal thermometers and the gauge that determines how much helium is left in my dewar (which, in turn, will tell them how much longer I’ll be cold enough to see x-rays).

The Goddard team is more interested in how I respond to changes in my environment. They’re watching me very carefully to see what these changes will do, but not much can phase me after all of the tests they’ve been putting me through!

I think this all must be a lot like what astronauts go through before they can go into space. They have to go through lots of doctor appointments and tests, and then they experience simulations of what it’ll be like to be in space. NASA sends the astronauts to all sorts of training (like underwater training, wilderness survival, and airplane rides in low-gravity) to see how they will do in different conditions. I’m doing the same stuff before they can send me to space – they’ve sent me to Japan and given me all sorts of tests and experiences!

The typhoon has passed, leaving everything as it was… just wet!

Things are busy around the clock here – during the day, there are Japanese technicians working on the dewar, and then at night the Goddard team is collecting data. And I thought it stunk when I was bored! There’s no time to relax when there’s so much to do. But it’s nice to have company, and all of the people running around. I’m the center of attention! They’re still doing a lot of tests and taking some sample data, and everything looks fine.

Everyone here is a little anxious because there’s a typhoon coming. Typhoon #10 (they don’t give them names in Japan) will bring some really wicked rain and winds. But I survived Hurricane Isabel back at Goddard last fall… I doubt this typhoon can be any worse! Still, they’re making sure that everything will be safe from the wind and water, just in case.

The really exciting thing today was a “shaker test” – they shook me at a whole bunch of different frequencies to see how I’d react. The spacecraft will vibrate when it moves around up in space, and the team wants to make sure that I’ll be okay and able to take really good data. It’s kind of fun, but it gave me a headache after a while. I’m all shook up!

Here’s a picture of the shaker test. I’m on the left, and the motor that does the shaking is on the right. The rod connects the motor to me. So as the motor spins, I shake. Wheeee!

Wish me luck with the typhoon… I’m thinking dry thoughts.