Koichi Wakata to Receive Club Award

The Club will honor Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata with its Distinguished Achievement Award at an event on September 14.

Qualifying as a mission specialist in 1993, Wakata has racked up 347 days in space over four missions.

Most recently, he spent six months aboard the International Space Station, from November 2013 to May 2014, which included a stint as station commander.

“[This award] is quite an honor, but it would have been impossible to receive it without the teamwork I was lucky to be a part of," Wakata said. "I really appreciate my team members and mentors who have helped me take on the challenges of human spaceflight."

Established in 1995, the Distinguished Achievement Award celebrates individuals who have made significant contributions to society and international relations, especially between the United States and Japan.

Past recipients include print artist Toko Shinoda, scholar Edward Seidensticker and astronaut Mamoru Mohri.