A: Hey there, Sakura! You heard about Onishi-san, right?

B: No, what's up with him?

A: He just finished his mission as the commander of the International Space Station (ISS)!

B: Wow, that's cool! How long was he there?

A: More than four months! He arrived there in March on a US private sector spacecraft. This is his second trip to space and he's the third Japanese to be ISS commander.

B: What did he do up there?

A: Well, he helped with scientific experiments and stuff. On Friday, he talked to reporters and said it was an honor to lead that great crew.

B: And what about emergencies? What's his job in those cases?

A: He said the commander's biggest responsibility is making sure everyone stays safe and the space station works well. Luckily, he has a super awesome crew who know exactly what to do if something goes wrong.

A: Did you hear about his friend, Yui Kimiya? She'll be going up there soon!

B: Oh, that's great! When is she launching?

A: Next Thursday at the earliest from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Onishi can't wait to see her and said it's rare for astronauts to have such an opportunity. He wants to say "Welcome" and "Really great to see you" when she gets there.

B: That's so sweet! When will Onishi be back on Earth?

A: He'll return after handing over his duties to the next commander at the ISS. Can't wait for his welcome-back party!
----------------

Japanese astronaut Onishi Takuya has praised his crew before ending his stay at the International Space Station as its commander.



Onishi has been at the ISS for more than four months after arriving there aboard a US private sector spacecraft in March. This is his second long-term stay in space, and he is the third Japanese to serve as the ISS commander. He has engaged in various scientific experiments there.



Onishi spoke to reporters on Friday, Japan time. He said, "It's been a great honor for me to be the commander of this excellent crew." He noted that one of the commander's biggest responsibilities is the safety of the crew and the space station. He said he is so lucky to have such an excellent crew because all of them know exactly what their roles are in case of emergency.



He also said he is looking forward to seeing another Japanese astronaut, Yui Kimiya, who will arrive at the ISS in a spacecraft to be launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida next Thursday at the earliest.



Onishi said: "It's super exciting to be able to see one of my best friends in space. I don't think many astronauts can get at such an opportunity." He said he would like to tell him, "Welcome," and "Really great to see you."



Onishi is scheduled to return to Earth after handing over his duties to the next commander at the ISS.
----------------

Quiz 1:
Who has praised his crew before ending his stay at the International Space Station as its commander?
A. Onishi Takuya
B. Yui Kimiya
C. NASA's commander
D. The US private sector spacecraft commander

[Answer block]
Answers:
Quiz 1: A

Quiz 2:
How long has Onishi been at the ISS for?
A. Less than one month
B. More than four months
C. Exactly two months
D. One week

[Answer block]
Answers:
Quiz 2: B

Quiz 3:
Which of the following is NOT a responsibility of an ISS commander?
A. Ensuring the safety of the crew and the space station
B. Conducting scientific experiments
C. Launching the spacecraft from NASA's Kennedy Space Center
D. Communicating with reporters on Earth

[Answer block]
Answers:
Quiz 3: C