Amelia Earhart Fellow (1994-1995), Naoko Yamazaki, prepares to lift off from Kennedy Space Center for a two-week flight as a Japanese crew member of the Discovery on 5 April 2010. During this important mission, the Discovery is to carry equipment and materials for the International Space Station and Yamazaki will be responsible for operating a robotic arm.

Naoko Yamazaki (born December 27, 1970) is a Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut, and the second Japanese woman to qualify as an astronaut.  The first was Chiaki Mukai who was named a Zonta International Honorary Member in 2000.

Yamazaki is married to Taichi Yamazaki, a flight controller with Mitsubishi Space Software, and they have an 8-year-old daughter. Naoko stated: “Now my daughter is beginning to understand space and space shuttles.” She told me, “Mom you’re going to be the one to fly on that!”

Yamazaki joined NASA’s Astronaut Candidate Training in June 2004. Astronaut Candidate Training includes orientation briefings and tours, numerous scientific and technical briefings, intensive instruction in Shuttle and International Space Station systems, physiological training, T-38 flight training, and water and wilderness survival training. Successful completion of this initial training qualifies Yamazaki for various technical assignments within the Astronaut Office.

Zonta International wishes Naoko Yamazaki a safe and successful trip. We are proud of Naoko and her story is just one of many of the successes of our Amelia Earhart Fellows.

It is through your contributions to the Amelia Earhart Fellowship Fund that we provide financial assistance to women like Naoko Yamazaki who are pursuing PhD /doctoral degrees in aerospace-related science and engineering.

This message incorporates text from the Associated Press.