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Japan's first person in space

Toyohiro Akiyama, a reporter for the Japanese television broadcaster Tokyo Broadcasting System, signs the Soyuz space capsule, which was charred upon reentry into Earth's atmosphere, in a field in Arkalyk in the Soviet republic of Kazakhstan on Dec. 10, 1990. He became the first Japanese to travel into space.

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Japan's first man in space

Toyohiro Akiyama, a reporter for Japanese television broadcaster Tokyo Broadcasting System, waves from on top of the Soyuz space capsule in a field in Arkalyk in the Soviet republic of Kazakhstan on Dec. 10, 1990, after returning to Earth. He became the first Japanese to travel into space. (Pool photo)

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Astronaut returns to Earth

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - Photo shows Japanese astronaut Akihiko Hoshide after returning to Earth on a Soyuz spacecraft along with an American and a Russian colleague in the suburbs of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, on Nov. 19, 2012. Hoshide spent about four months in the International Space Station.

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Astronaut returns to Earth

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - Photo shows Japanese astronaut Akihiko Hoshide (C) after returning to Earth on a Soyuz spacecraft along with an American and a Russian colleague in the suburbs of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, on Nov. 19, 2012. Hoshide spent about four months in the International Space Station.

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Soyuz capsule

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - The Soyuz capsule in which three astronauts returned to Earth after four months at the International Space Station is examined on a plain near Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, on Nov. 19, 2012.

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Astronaut returns to Earth

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - Photo shows Japanese astronaut Akihiko Hoshide (C) after returning to Earth on a Soyuz spacecraft along with an American and a Russian colleague in the suburbs of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, on Nov. 19, 2012. Hoshide spent about four months in the International Space Station.

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Astronaut returns to Earth

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - Japanese astronaut Akihiko Hoshide waves after he returns to Earth on a Soyuz spacecraft along with an American and a Russian colleague in the suburbs of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, on Nov. 19, 2012. Hoshide spent about four months in the International Space Station.

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Astronaut returns to Earth

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - Japanese astronaut Akihiko Hoshide waves after he returns to Earth on a Soyuz spacecraft along with an American and a Russian colleague in the suburbs of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, on Nov. 19, 2012. Hoshide spent about four months in the International Space Station.

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Astronaut returns to Earth

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - Japanese astronaut Akihiko Hoshide leaves a Soyuz spacecraft (L) after he returns to Earth along with an American and a Russian colleague in the suburbs of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, on Nov. 19, 2012. Hoshide spent about four months in the International Space Station.

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Astronaut returns to Earth

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - Japanese astronaut Akihiko Hoshide waves after he returns to Earth on a Soyuz spacecraft along with an American and a Russian colleague in the suburbs of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, on Nov. 19, 2012. Hoshide spent about four months in the International Space Station.

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Soyuz spacecraft returns to Earth

ASTANA, Kazakhstan - Photo taken on Nov. 22, 2011, shows a Soyuz space capsule of Russia that landed near Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, on the same day, returning from the International Space Station. Japanese astronaut Satoshi Furukawa is seen inside the capsule.

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Soyuz spacecraft reentering Earth's atmosphere

ASTANA, Kazakhstan - Photo taken on Nov. 22, 2011, near Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, shows Russia's Soyuz spacecraft carrying three astronauts from the International Space Station after it reentered the Earth's atmosphere.

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Russian space capsule

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - A Russian space capsule carrying three astronauts from the International Space Station is about to land on a plain near Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, on Nov. 22, 2011.

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Russian space capsule

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - Personnel on Nov. 22, 2011, retrieve a Russian space capsule which safely carried three astronauts -- Satoshi Furukawa of Japan, American Mike Fossum and Sergei Volkov of Russia -- home from the International Space Station on a plain near Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, the same day.

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Astronauts return to Earth

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - Japanese astronaut Satoshi Furukawa (C), upon his arrival back on Earth from the International Space Station, walks to a helicopter with the assistance of another Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi (L) and another unidentified man near Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, on Nov. 22, 2011.

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Astronauts return to Earth

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - Japanese astronaut Satoshi Furukawa (C) is carried from the reentry capsule of a Soyuz spacecraft on a plain near Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, at 8:55 a.m. on Nov. 22, 2011, after the spacecraft carrying Furukawa and two other astronauts -- American Mike Fossum and Sergei Volkov of Russia -- returned to Earth. The spacecraft landed at 8:25 a.m., bringing the three back to Earth after they completed a five-and-a-half-month mission aboard the International Space Station.

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Astronauts return to Earth

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - Japanese astronaut Satoshi Furukawa (C) is seen smiling at 8:56 a.m. on Nov. 22, 2011, while being carried from a Soyuz spacecraft on a plain near Arkalyk, Kazakhstan. The spacecraft carrying Furukawa and two other astronauts -- American Mike Fossum and Sergei Volkov of Russia -- landed at 8:25 a.m., bringing the three back to Earth after they completed a five-and-a-half-month mission aboard the International Space Station.

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Astronauts return to Earth

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - Ground support vehicles stand by at 6:40 a.m. on Nov. 22, 2011, on a plain near Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, for a Soyuz spacecraft to land, which was carrying three astronauts -- American Mike Fossum, Sergei Volkov of Russia and Japan's Satoshi Furukawa. The spacecraft landed at 8:25 a.m., bringing the three back to Earth after they completed a five-and-a-half-month mission aboard the International Space Station.

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Astronauts return to Earth

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - Japanese astronaut Satoshi Furukawa (R) is carried by compatriot astronaut Soichi Noguchi (L) and others from a Soyuz spacecraft on a plain near Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, at 8:55 a.m. on Nov. 22, 2011, with the reentry capsule of the spacecraft shown in the background. The spacecraft carrying Furukawa and two other astronauts -- American Mike Fossum and Sergei Volkov of Russia -- landed at 8:25 a.m., bringing the three back to Earth after they completed a five-and-a-half-month mission aboard the International Space Station.

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Astronauts return to Earth

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - Japanese astronaut Satoshi Furukawa (C) is carried from a Soyuz spacecraft on a plain near Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, at 9 a.m. on Nov. 22, 2011, to receive medical checkups. The spacecraft carrying Furukawa and two other astronauts -- American Mike Fossum and Sergei Volkov of Russia -- landed at 8:25 a.m., bringing the three back to Earth after they completed a five-and-a-half-month mission aboard the International Space Station.

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Astronauts return to Earth

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - A ground support vehicle stands by at 6:40 a.m. on Nov. 22, 2011, on a plain near Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, for a Soyuz spacecraft to land, which was carrying three astronauts -- American Mike Fossum, Sergei Volkov of Russia and Japan's Satoshi Furukawa. The spacecraft landed at 8:25 a.m., bringing the three back to Earth after they completed a five-and-a-half-month mission aboard the International Space Station.

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Noguchi returns to Earth

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi is carried to a waiting helicopter in Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, on June 2, 2010, following his return to Earth with two fellow astronauts aboard the Russian Soyuz spacecraft. Noguchi was in space for 163 days, the longest mission ever completed by a Japanese astronaut.

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Noguchi returns to Earth

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi is carried after his return to Earth with two fellow astronauts aboard the Russian Soyuz spacecraft in Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, on June 2, 2010. Noguchi was in space for 163 days, the longest mission ever completed by a Japanese astronaut.

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Noguchi returns to Earth

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi speaks to his family by phone after returning to Earth with two fellow astronauts aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft in Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, on June 2, 2010. Noguchi was in space for 163 days, the longest mission ever completed by a Japanese astronaut.

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Noguchi returns to Earth

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi holds an apple handed to him following his return to Earth aboard the Russian Soyuz spacecraft with two fellow astronauts, as compatriot astronaut Koichi Wakata speaks to him in Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, on June 2, 1010. After taking a bite, Noguchi said the apple was '' delicious'' but ''heavy.''

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Noguchi returns to Earth

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi (L), Russia's Oleg Kotov and T.J. Creamer of the United States show solidarity after their return to Earth aboard the Russian Soyuz spacecraft in Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, on June 2, 1010.

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Noguchi returns to Earth

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi is taken out of the Russian Soyuz spacecraft after his return to Earth with two fellow astronauts in Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, on June 2, 2010. Noguchi, who returned from the International Space Station with Russia's Oleg Kotov and T.J. Creamer of the United States, said he was in ''perfect'' condition.

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Noguchi returns to Earth

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - Personnel open the hatch of the Russian Soyuz capsule carrying astronauts Soichi Noguchi of Japan, Oleg Kotov of Russia and T.J. Creamer of the United States after the spacecraft landed on a plain near Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, on June 2, 2010.

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Noguchi returns to Earth after 163 days in space

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - The Soyuz spacecraft carrying Japan's Soichi Noguchi, Russia's Oleg Kotov and American Timothy Creamer is seen parachuting down near Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, on June 2, 2010. Noguchi spent 163 days onboard the International Space Station, the longest period in space by a Japanese astronaut.

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Noguchi returns to Earth after 163 days in space

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi gives a thumbs-up near Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, on June 2, 2010, after the Soyuz capsule carrying Noguchi, Russia's Oleg Kotov and American Timothy Creamer landed there. Noguchi spent 163 days onboard the International Space Station, the longest period in space by a Japanese astronaut.

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Noguchi returns to Earth after 163 days in space

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi talks with his family by cell phone near Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, on June 2, 2010, after the Soyuz capsule carrying Noguchi, Russia's Oleg Kotov and American Timothy Creamer landed there. Noguchi spent 163 days onboard the International Space Station, the longest period in space by a Japanese astronaut.

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Noguchi returns to Earth

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi holds an apple handed to him following his return to Earth aboard the Russian Soyuz spacecraft with two fellow astronauts, as compatriot astronaut Koichi Wakata speaks to him in Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, on June 2, 1010. After taking a bite, Noguchi said the apple was '' delicious'' but ''heavy.'' (Kyodo)

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Noguchi returns to Earth

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi is carried to a waiting helicopter in Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, on June 2, 2010, following his return to Earth with two fellow astronauts aboard the Russian Soyuz spacecraft. Noguchi was in space for 163 days, the longest mission ever completed by a Japanese astronaut. (Kyodo)

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Noguchi returns to Earth

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi is carried after his return to Earth with two fellow astronauts aboard the Russian Soyuz spacecraft in Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, on June 2, 2010. Noguchi was in space for 163 days, the longest mission ever completed by a Japanese astronaut. (Kyodo)

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Noguchi returns to Earth

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi speaks to his family by phone after returning to Earth with two fellow astronauts aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft in Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, on June 2, 2010. Noguchi was in space for 163 days, the longest mission ever completed by a Japanese astronaut. (Kyodo)

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Noguchi returns to Earth

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi (L), Russia's Oleg Kotov and T.J. Creamer of the United States show solidarity after their return to Earth aboard the Russian Soyuz spacecraft in Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, on June 2, 1010. (Kyodo)

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Noguchi returns to Earth

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi is taken out of the Russian Soyuz spacecraft after his return to Earth with two fellow astronauts in Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, on June 2, 2010. Noguchi, who returned from the International Space Station with Russia's Oleg Kotov and T.J. Creamer of the United States, said he was in ''perfect'' condition. (Kyodo)

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Noguchi returns to Earth

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - Personnel open the hatch of the Russian Soyuz capsule carrying astronauts Soichi Noguchi of Japan, Oleg Kotov of Russia and T.J. Creamer of the United States after the spacecraft landed on a plain near Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, on June 2, 2010. (Kyodo)

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Noguchi returns to Earth

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - Personnel open the hatch of the Russian Soyuz capsule carrying astronauts Soichi Noguchi of Japan, Oleg Kotov of Russia and T.J. Creamer of the United States after the spacecraft landed on a plain near Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, on June 2, 2010. (Kyodo)

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Noguchi returns to Earth after 163 days in space

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi gives a thumbs-up near Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, on June 2, 2010, after the Soyuz capsule carrying Noguchi, Russia's Oleg Kotov and American Timothy Creamer landed there. Noguchi spent 163 days onboard the International Space Station, the longest period in space by a Japanese astronaut. (Kyodo)

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Noguchi returns to Earth after 163 days in space

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi talks with his family by cell phone near Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, on June 2, 2010, after the Soyuz capsule carrying Noguchi, Russia's Oleg Kotov and American Timothy Creamer landed there. Noguchi spent 163 days onboard the International Space Station, the longest period in space by a Japanese astronaut. (Kyodo)

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Noguchi returns to Earth after 163 days in space

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - The Soyuz spacecraft carrying Japan's Soichi Noguchi, Russia's Oleg Kotov and American Timothy Creamer is seen parachuting down near Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, on June 2, 2010. Noguchi spent 163 days onboard the International Space Station, the longest period in space by a Japanese astronaut. (Kyodo)

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Soyuz spacecraft reentering Earth's atmosphere

ASTANA, Kazakhstan - Photo taken on Nov. 22, 2011, near Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, shows Russia's Soyuz spacecraft carrying three astronauts from the International Space Station after it reentered the Earth's atmosphere. (Kyodo)

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Soyuz spacecraft returns to Earth

ASTANA, Kazakhstan - Photo taken on Nov. 22, 2011, shows a Soyuz space capsule of Russia that landed near Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, on the same day, returning from the International Space Station. Japanese astronaut Satoshi Furukawa is seen inside the capsule. (Kyodo)

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Russian space capsule

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - A Russian space capsule carrying three astronauts from the International Space Station is about to land on a plain near Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, on Nov. 22, 2011. (Kyodo)

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Russian space capsule

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - Personnel on Nov. 22, 2011, retrieve a Russian space capsule which safely carried three astronauts -- Satoshi Furukawa of Japan, American Mike Fossum and Sergei Volkov of Russia -- home from the International Space Station on a plain near Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, the same day. (Kyodo)

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Astronauts return to Earth

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - Japanese astronaut Satoshi Furukawa (C), upon his arrival back on Earth from the International Space Station, walks to a helicopter with the assistance of another Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi (L) and another unidentified man near Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, on Nov. 22, 2011. (Kyodo)

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Astronauts return to Earth

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - Japanese astronaut Satoshi Furukawa (R) is carried by compatriot astronaut Soichi Noguchi (L) and others from a Soyuz spacecraft on a plain near Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, at 8:55 a.m. on Nov. 22, 2011, with the reentry capsule of the spacecraft shown in the background. The spacecraft carrying Furukawa and two other astronauts -- American Mike Fossum and Sergei Volkov of Russia -- landed at 8:25 a.m., bringing the three back to Earth after they completed a five-and-a-half-month mission aboard the International Space Station. (Kyodo)

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Astronauts return to Earth

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - Japanese astronaut Satoshi Furukawa (C) is seen smiling at 8:56 a.m. on Nov. 22, 2011, while being carried from a Soyuz spacecraft on a plain near Arkalyk, Kazakhstan. The spacecraft carrying Furukawa and two other astronauts -- American Mike Fossum and Sergei Volkov of Russia -- landed at 8:25 a.m., bringing the three back to Earth after they completed a five-and-a-half-month mission aboard the International Space Station. (Kyodo)

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Astronauts return to Earth

ARKALYK, Kazakhstan - Japanese astronaut Satoshi Furukawa (C) is carried from a Soyuz spacecraft on a plain near Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, at 9 a.m. on Nov. 22, 2011, to receive medical checkups. The spacecraft carrying Furukawa and two other astronauts -- American Mike Fossum and Sergei Volkov of Russia -- landed at 8:25 a.m., bringing the three back to Earth after they completed a five-and-a-half-month mission aboard the International Space Station. (Kyodo)