Ep. 36: Serika honors her father Rinpei Itou while reflecting on her childhood inspiration to become an astronaut.
Aired on December 9, 2012
After hearing about her exam results, Serika visits her father's grave and recalls how biologist Rinpei Itou inspired her dream of becoming an astronaut. When Rinpei was hospitalized with a rare paralyzing brain disorder, he asked Serika to keep a journal of her daily life. As his condition worsened, Serika read about astronaut Chiaki Mukai, who developed cures aboard the ISS, and resolved to follow in his footsteps to find a treatment for Rinpei. Unfortunately, Rinpei passed away shortly thereafter. Now having passed her exams, Serika celebrates the news by enjoying a nostalgic ice pop, honoring the memory of her father and her journey toward her goal.
Episodes
- Ep. 32 · Mutta stays in Houston while candidates return to Japan for moon landing results
- Ep. 33 · Hibito lands on the moon and performs a jump inspired by Mutta's message
- Ep. 34 · Hibito observes lunar surface details while Mutta navigates lottery luck and exam anxiety in Japan.
- Ep. 35 · Kenji Reflects on His Past While Awaiting JAXA Astronaut Selection Results
- Ep. 36 · Serika honors her father Rinpei Itou while reflecting on her childhood inspiration to become an astronaut.
- Ep. 37 · Mutta's anxiety eases as Hoshika reveals exam results in the park
- Ep. 38 · Mutta attends the conference, meets Serika and Kenji, and receives congratulations from Naoto and Yasushi.
- Ep. 39 · Astronaut training and lunar probe recovery mission with perception challenges
- Ep. 40 · Hibito rescues injured Damian from a crater using a probe and buggy battery.