Astronaut Soichi Noguchi was presented with a special award Wednesday by the science ministry for giving the Japanese people "courage, hope and encouragement" by completing his mission on the space shuttle Discovery.
Noguchi, who recently returned to Japan after spending 15 days in space in early August, visited the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry to brief officials on the first shuttle flight since the Columbia burned up during re-entry almost 2 1/2 years ago.
"The mission made the Japanese people recognize the magnificence of space development and gave them courage, hope and encouragement," science minister Nariaki Nakayama said in presenting the award to Noguchi.
Nakayama also asked the astronaut how he felt during his spacewalks.
"As I looked down and realized the complete darkness stretching out below me, I found myself trying to grab a hand rail," Noguchi said.
In a news conference after the meeting, the 40-year-old mission specialist said he wants to describe how beautiful space is and what the International Space Station looks like.