Noguchi returns to Earth after 163 days in space

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.

Noguchi returns to Earth after 163 days in space

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.

Noguchi returns to Earth after 163 days in space

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.

Noguchi, 2 other astronauts arrive at Int'l Space Station

Noguchi, 2 other astronauts arrive at Int'l Space Station

TOKYO, Japan - In this photo taken from NASA Television, Russia's Soyuz TMA-17 spacecraft (C) carrying Japan's Soichi Noguchi and two other astronauts approaches the International Space Station to dock on Dec. 23, 2009. Noguchi, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kotov and U.S. astronaut Timothy Creamer will stay at the ISS for five months.

Noguchi, 2 other astronauts arrive at Int'l Space Station

Noguchi, 2 other astronauts arrive at Int'l Space Station

TOKYO, Japan - In this photo taken from NASA Television, Russia's Soyuz TMA-17 spacecraft (C) carrying Japan's Soichi Noguchi and two other astronauts approaches the International Space Station to dock on Dec. 23, 2009. Noguchi, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kotov and U.S. astronaut Timothy Creamer will stay at the ISS for five months.

3 astronauts including Japan's Noguchi lift off from Kazakhstan

3 astronauts including Japan's Noguchi lift off from Kazakhstan

BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan - The Russia's Soyuz TMA-17, carrying three astronauts -- Japan's Soichi Noguchi, Timothy J. Creamer of the United States and Russia's Oleg Kotov -- flies into the clouds after being launched from Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan, Dec. 21, 2009. The spacecraft successfully reached orbit shortly after liftoff.

Soyuz lifts off to space station

Soyuz lifts off to space station

BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan - Russia's Soyuz TMA-17, carrying three astronauts -- Japan's Soichi Noguchi, Timothy J. Creamer of the United States and Russia's Oleg Kotov -- takes off from the launcher at the Baikonur Cosmodrome space center in Kazakhstan on Dec. 21, 2009. The spacecraft successfully reached orbit shortly after liftoff.

Soyuz lifts off to space station

Soyuz lifts off to space station

BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan - Russia's Soyuz TMA-17, carrying three astronauts -- Japan's Soichi Noguchi, Timothy J. Creamer of the United States and Russia's Oleg Kotov -- takes off from the launcher at the Baikonur Cosmodrome space center in Kazakhstan on Dec. 21, 2009. The spacecraft successfully reached orbit shortly after liftoff.

Soyuz lifts off to space station

Soyuz lifts off to space station

BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan - Russia's Soyuz TMA-17, carrying three astronauts -- Japan's Soichi Noguchi, Timothy J. Creamer of the United States and Russia's Oleg Kotov -- takes off from the launcher at the Baikonur Cosmodrome space center in Kazakhstan on Dec. 21, 2009. The spacecraft successfully reached orbit shortly after liftoff.

Noguchi returns to Earth after 163 days in space

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)

Noguchi returns to Earth after 163 days in space

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)

Noguchi returns to Earth after 163 days in space

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)

Noguchi, 2 other astronauts arrive at Int'l Space Station

Noguchi, 2 other astronauts arrive at Int'l Space Station

TOKYO, Japan - In this photo taken from NASA Television, Russia's TMA-17 spacecraft (C) carrying Japan's Soichi Noguchi and two other astronauts approaches the International Space Station to dock on Dec. 23, 2009. Noguchi, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kotov and U.S. astronaut Timothy Creamer will stay at the ISS for five months. (Kyodo)

Noguchi, 2 other astronauts arrive at Int'l Space Station

Noguchi, 2 other astronauts arrive at Int'l Space Station

TOKYO, Japan - In this photo taken from NASA Television, Russia's TMA-17 spacecraft (C) carrying Japan's Soichi Noguchi and two other astronauts approaches the International Space Station to dock on Dec. 23, 2009. Noguchi, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kotov and U.S. astronaut Timothy Creamer will stay at the ISS for five months. (Kyodo)

Soyuz lifts off to space station

Soyuz lifts off to space station

BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan - Russia's Soyuz TMA-17, carrying three astronauts -- Japan's Soichi Noguchi, Timothy J. Creamer of the United States and Russia's Oleg Kotov -- takes off from the launcher at the Baikonur Cosmodrome space center in Kazakhstan on Dec. 21, 2009. The spacecraft successfully reached orbit shortly after liftoff. (Kyodo)

Soyuz lifts off to space station

Soyuz lifts off to space station

BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan - Russia's Soyuz TMA-17, carrying three astronauts -- Japan's Soichi Noguchi, Timothy J. Creamer of the United States and Russia's Oleg Kotov -- takes off from the launcher at the Baikonur Cosmodrome space center in Kazakhstan on Dec. 21, 2009. The spacecraft successfully reached orbit shortly after liftoff. (Kyodo)

Soyuz lifts off to space station

Soyuz lifts off to space station

BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan - Russia's Soyuz TMA-17, carrying three astronauts -- Japan's Soichi Noguchi, Timothy J. Creamer of the United States and Russia's Oleg Kotov -- takes off from the launcher at the Baikonur Cosmodrome space center in Kazakhstan on Dec. 21, 2009. The spacecraft successfully reached orbit shortly after liftoff. (Kyodo)

3 astronauts including Japan's Noguchi lift off from Kazakhstan

3 astronauts including Japan's Noguchi lift off from Kazakhstan

BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan - The Russia's Soyuz TMA-17, carrying three astronauts -- Japan's Soichi Noguchi, Timothy J. Creamer of the United States and Russia's Oleg Kotov -- flies into the clouds after being launched from Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan, Dec. 21, 2009. The spacecraft successfully reached orbit shortly after liftoff. (Kyodo)