Astronaut Mukai, Babauta meet to plan NMI visit

Dr. Chiaki Mukai, Ph.D., the Japanese astronaut who accompanied John Glenn on his historic shuttle mission last year, met for the first time with CNMI Representative Juan N. Babauta this week to go over plans for Mukai’s visit to the Marianas in June.

Mukai and Babauta were the guests of Hideshi Kozawa, Director of the Washington office of NASDA, the National Space Development Agency of Japan. Also attending the dinner at the Kozawa residence were officials of the Embassy of Japan, Takao Kuramochi, Scientific Counselor, and Shigeo Okaya, First Secretary, Science Section.

“It was a great pleasure finally to meet Dr. Mukai and to be able to thank her personally for her decision to accept the invitation of the Resident Representative’s office that she visit the Northern Marianas,” reports Babauta. “I also conveyed to her Governor Tenorio’s pleasure at her decision.

“What so excite me about this trip is that it holds the potential to be truly inspirational. When you meet someone as well educated and accomplished as Dr. Mukai, you realized that science and math and all studies enrich one’s life and open the door to possibilities which can be-literally-out of this world.

“My goal is to see our students, particularly, fired up with enthusiasm to learn and excel as a result of meeting Dr. Mukai,”

Mukai is a medical doctor and holds a doctorate in physiology, as well. She is one of three Japanese astronauts who have flown on the Space Shuttle. The flight she shared last year with John Glenn, the first American astronaut to orbit the earth, was her second. Altogether she has logged more than 350 hours in space, conducting medical and physiological experiments.

Babauta originally invited Mukai after the American Pacific Nurses Association asked for his assistance in obtaining a keynote speaker for the organization’s June conference in Saipan. But the purpose of her visit has now broadened to include other events, including a commencement address to Marianas High School graduates on June 15.

Over dinner, Mukai and Babauta reviewed preliminary plans for the astronaut’s activities during her three day visit. The itinerary was developed jointly by Governor Tenorio, the Marianas Visitors Association, and other local officials.

“Dr. Mukai said she wants to meet as many people as possible during her stay. She wants to visit a mom and pop store, sample the local foods, and learn as much as she can about our islands peoples and cultures.

“I describe the new Museum for Culture and the Arts in the old Japanese Hospital; and this, too, she found very intriguing.”

The possibility of having Dr. Mukai speak at graduation ceremonies at Hopwood Junior High School is also under consideration.

“She is truly an inspiring person,” observed Babauta.

“When people in the Marianas meet Dr. Mukai, I think they will feel that immediately.

“At the same time, she is warm and friendly, very personable, and easy to talk to.

“Truly, a unique individual with very unique experience.

“I’m looking forward to our students and the people of the CNMI meeting her.”

Mukai begins her visit to the Northern Marianas on June 13. NASDA Director Kozawa will accompany the astronaut.