Gizmodo: koichi wakata

Astronaut Koichi Wakata Still Looking for His Magic Lamp

Jesus Diaz — Wed, 20 May 2009 19:00:00 EDT

Once upon a time, Ali Baba-wannabe and Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata put on his deodorizing underpants and flew a magic carpet in space. You can see it all in this video, except the underpants. [JAXA]

NASA Astronaut Currently Testing Magic Odor-Eating Underpants

Jack Loftus — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 14:00:00 EDT

Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata is a lucky man. He's one of the few humans who's been launched into space. He's on the ISS. And, perhaps most importantly, he's helping test a pair of magic underpants.

And magic they certainly are, once you hear about what these space-borne underoos hope to accomplish.

Made of state-of-the-art odor-fighting fibers, they will need to reduce or eliminate smells normally associated with that area of the body for seven consecutive days. Traditionally, astronauts wear their clothing for three days before changing (see also: Me in college).

The porous panties will also wick away perspiration, provide insulation and allow Wakata to strut around the ISS bragging that his shit literally does not stink.

The underwear are also fire-resistant, which could come in handy should this strutting, odor-free astronaut cross the wrong person during his ISS stay. [Sunday Metro]

Astronaut to Fly Magic Carpet In Space, Plus Perform Other Civilian Requests

Mark Wilson — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 17:20:00 EST

If I were ever so blessed to copulate with Scarlett Johansson, I might try some strange things, things I wasn't even generally comfortable with, just for the vicarious accomplishment of all mankind.

Koichi Wakata, a Japanese astronaut, is working under a similar philosophy.

He's promised to perform 16 tasks in ISS laboratories that have been drawn from a pool of 1,597 requests. Included in that list: Doing push-ups, folding clothes, arm wresting another astronaut, shooting liquid from a straw and even flying a magic carpet.

Bow your heads, friends. A god walks amongst men. [Physorg]