Page 3, the ISS was originally intended for a fifteen-year mission, though I haven’t been able determine exactly when that fifteen-year timer started, or whether there were ever any plans to deorbit it in 2024. Currently they’re scheduling it for 2030 - and even now, some of the modules are already twenty years old.
Starting from the bottom of page 8, despite Yaginuma-sensei previously using Gokuraku-ji Station on the Enoden line as the exterior of “Yuigahama” Station, the platform shown here is that of Kamakurakoko-mae Station on the same line instead.
Not sure I can work out where Asumi’s dormitory is. Somewhere near the Chuo Line, I guess.
Page 37, we meet a new character here - the school’s PE teacher - who, despite the prominent role he plays for the remainder of the manga right up to the final volume, goes completely unnamed. They call him “Nishida” in the anime version, and “Oonishi Kojiro” in the drama, but he never gets a name in the manga.
Page 46, I hope all y’all are ready to learn about orbital mechanics in Japanese.
Page 56, the H-IIA is a real rocket launch system produced by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries - and in the real world, it’s still in current use… but only just. It’s due to be retired after a fiftieth and final mission scheduled to take place sometime early this year.
Sorry, somehow I couldn’t find anything to comment on. Unlike the test in the last volume (which felt fresh because it made the best of the astronaut school setting), chapter 5 felt like the intro chapter of a somewhat generic boarding school manga to me, and I’ve read so many of those that they kind of all blur together in my mind . At least that one teacher who doesn’t seem to like Asumi reminded us that he exists, so I’m confident there will be drama ahead.
Btw, I might lag behind for awhile. I joined too many bookclubs at once, so I got a reading load of 108 pages of novels this week.
I felt similar last week, not a lot happened although I enjoyed meeting the new character who lives in the boarding house.
This week’s chapter was really enjoyable. The excitement of young people working towards a goal they are passionate about really came through. There was a great scene of Asumi standing awestruck in front of the cabinet with the astronaut suit.
I love how Asumi is outstanding both academically and also physically. She looks so small and weak, and we saw that minor breakdown in the closed room task. It’s good to see how strong and robust she is.
Also, love the running scenes - pumping sinews, steely eyed determination, sweat beads everywhere. Makes me want to run laps round a university campus!
I’ve always had some interest in space but my knowledge of the stars is awful. It’s good starwatching weather at the moment, not too cold but sunset is still relatively early compared to summer. Aiming to try and identify Virgo and Leo in the sky this week.
. At least that one teacher who doesn’t seem to like Asumi reminded us that he exists, so I’m confident there will be drama ahead.