Born: May 6, 1952 (Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture)
Biography:
Chiaki Mukai ( , Mukai Chiaki, born May 6, 1952) is a Japanese physician and JAXA astronaut. She is widely recognized as the first Japanese woman to venture into space, as well as the first Japanese citizen to partake in two spaceflights. Additionally, Mukai holds the distinction of being the first Asian woman to travel to the final frontier. With both missions taking place aboard the Space Shuttle, her debut flight occurred in July 1994, as a member of the STS-65 crew aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia, on a Spacelab mission. Four years later, in 1998, she achieved her second spaceflight as part of the STS-95 crew, this time aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. Collectively, these missions have resulted in Mukai spending an impressive total of 23 days in space.
Prior to her remarkable journey into space, Mukai was selected in 1985 to be an astronaut by the Japanese National Space Development Agency (NASDA), which is now called the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Before her astronaut career began, she served as an assistant professor in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at Keio University, the oldest university in Japan. Such a distinguished academic background laid a strong foundation for her subsequent achievements in the realm of space exploration. Moreover, Mukai’s professional journey has progressed further over the years, as in 2015, she became the Vice President of the Tokyo University of Science. Furthermore, she was appointed as a Technical Counselor at JAXA, indicating the extent of her contributions to the field.
Born in Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture, on May 6, 1952, Chiaki Mukai completed her education at prestigious institutions. In 1971, she graduated from Keio Girls Senior High School in Tokyo before pursuing a medical degree at Keio University School of Medicine. Subsequently, she continued her academic pursuits, earning a doctorate in medicine from Keio University School of Medicine in 1977. Later, she also obtained a doctorate in physiology from the same institution in 1988. Her dedication and expertise in the medical field were further acknowledged when she received certification as a cardiovascular surgeon from the Japan Surgical Society in 1989.
Throughout her illustrious career, Mukai has become a member of various esteemed organizations, demonstrating her standing within the aerospace and medical communities. Notably, she is affiliated with the American Aerospace Medical Association, the Japan Society of Microgravity Applications, the Japan Society of Aerospace and Environmental Medicine, the Japanese Society for Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, and the Japan Surgical Society.
With regard to her medical career, Mukai has held esteemed positions at multiple hospitals and institutions. After receiving her medical certification in 1977, she served as a Resident in General Surgery at Keio University Hospital in Tokyo from 1977 to 1978. In the years that followed, she gained valuable experience as a Medical Staff in General Surgery at Shimizu General Hospital in Shizuoka Prefecture, as well as a Medical Staff in Emergency Surgery at Saiseikai Kanagawa Hospital in Kanagawa Prefecture. Mukai’s specialization in cardiovascular surgery then led her to assume the position of Resident in Cardiovascular Surgery at Keio University Hospital in 1980. Furthermore, she held the roles of Medical Staff in Cardiovascular Surgery at Saiseikai Utsunomiya Hospital in Tochigi Prefecture, as well as Chief Resident in Cardiovascular Surgery at Keio University Hospital, before being appointed as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at Keio University.
Mukai’s contributions extend beyond terrestrial medicine and into the realm of aerospace exploration. Demonstrating her dedication to the field, she has been credited with approximately sixty peer-reviewed scientific publications since 1979. As an astronaut, Mukai has achieved many remarkable milestones. Her journey commenced in 1985 when she was selected as one of three Japanese Payload Specialist candidates for the First Material Processing Test (Spacelab-J), which was part of the STS-47 mission. Mukai also served as a backup payload specialist for the Neurolab (STS-90) mission. In total, she has logged over 566 hours in space, having participated in the STS-65 mission in 1994 and the STS-95 mission in 1998. Not only is Mukai the first Japanese woman to travel to space, but she is also the first Japanese citizen to embark on two spaceflights.
Bearing in mind her extensive contributions to the field, it is important to recognize the significant impact Mukai has had on society. As a pioneer, she has broken down barriers and shattered stereotypes, inspiring countless individuals, especially young women, to pursue careers in STEM and space exploration. Her achievements serve as a testament to the limitless potential of women, further propelling the movement for gender equality. Moreover, the research conducted by Mukai during her time in space has contributed to the advancement of scientific knowledge and has allowed for a deeper understanding of the effects of microgravity on the human body.
Awards:
– Japan Academy Medal (1996)
– Aviation/Aerospace National Medal (1996)
– Tokyo Medical Association Award (1998)
– Kyoshi Memorial Cultural Award (1999)