Photo: 不明 / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
Okay, I'll just say it: Soichi Noguchi is one of the coolest people Japan has ever produced, and I don't think enough folks outside the space-nerd bubble realize it. The man flew to orbit on three completely different rides—the Space Shuttle, a Russian Soyuz, and SpaceX's Crew Dragon. That's basically collecting the whole set, and almost nobody on Earth can say the same. He's done spacewalks, floating out there on a tether, which makes my palms sweat just typing it. But what really gets me is the vibe: this Yokohama-born University of Tokyo brain spent his time up there snapping gorgeous photos of our planet and posting them like an excited tour guide, making space feel friendly instead of intimidating. A genuine genius who's somehow also the approachable uncle of the cosmos. I'm just quietly proud he exists.
Overview
Sōichi Noguchi is a Japanese astronaut and engineer born on April 15, 1965, in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture. A graduate of the University of Tokyo, he has flown to space on multiple missions aboard different spacecraft types, including the Space Shuttle, Soyuz, and a U.S. commercial crew vehicle. He has performed extravehicular activities and is recognized for his outreach efforts, sharing photographs and experiences from orbit with the public. He has received the Space Exploration Medal and the NASA Space Flight Medal in recognition of his contributions.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Sōichi Noguchi
- Name (Japanese)
- 野口聡一
- Reading
- のぐち そういち
- Born
- April 15, 1965 (age 61)
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Aries / Snake (巳)
- Origin
- Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
- Occupation
- Astronaut / Engineer
2. Background
- University
- University of Tokyo
Awards & achievements
- Space Exploration Medal (year unknown)
- NASA Space Flight Medal (year unknown)
4. Personality
Motto
Private
6. Links
Frequently asked questions
When was Sōichi Noguchi born?
Born April 15, 1965 (age 61).
Where is Sōichi Noguchi from?
Sōichi Noguchi is from Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.
What does Sōichi Noguchi do?
Sōichi Noguchi works as Astronaut, Engineer.
Astronaut — see all → · Engineer — see all → · More people from Japan →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-02
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.