Overview of our laboratory

Space systems that can be achieved only by small satellites.

To take advantage of small sized space systems, these systems should acquire unique abilities by focusing on phenomena which are more effective for smaller satellites. Additional advantages can be gained by the additional use of various resources and other things found in its orbital environment. Our research group recognizes that a smaller sized satellite is more affected by its environment. Additionally, it considers the use of these environments, to achieve higher performance with smaller system resources to be useful. Furthermore, space applications with these high performance bus systems are studied, by taking advantage of the unique abilities of these small spacecraft.

Research topics

Attitude orbit and control system by the use of space environment.　

In our research, we continue to expand the abilities and applications of small spacecraft, while considering the space environments that more easily affect smaller sized spacecraft, specifically environmental outer magnetic fields and space plasma. We focus on attitude and orbit determination and control for small spacecraft to expand the abilities and applications. Except for attitude orbit control systems, our interest lies on C&DH, thermal, communication, space system designs, and their applications. We also try to find chances for in-orbit demonstrations for the benefit of proposing space systems.

CubeSat

In-orbit demonstrations for the benefit of proposing space systems.　

In Inamori Laboratory, in order to prove the result of our researches in actual orbit, we are also developing actual small-sized satellite. Currently, we are developing NUcube1, a small-sized satellite whose mission is to demonstrate orbit alteration using rotation separation system that was proposed by our laboratory. In this system, by separating two satellites that was fixed together during high-speed rotation, one satellite will be accelerate while the other one will be decelerate and thus altering the orbit of these two satellites. We expect that this method can be used in space application such as for constellation formation alteration of satellites. NUcube1 is the combination of a 2U main satellite and a 1U sub satellite. In the main satellite magnetic torquers (MTQs), in the sub satellite permanent magnets are implemented. In this system, the satellites will be spins up using MTQ while maintain theirs combination using magnetic force between MTQs and magnets. Then, the separation will be done by changing MTQ output. This time, the MTQs core will be used as part of the satellite structure so that we can produce a large magnetic moment output from MTQ while maintaining the weight of the satellite. Our development are currently in BBM phase and we are continuing our development with the plan to launch on 2020 in mind.

CanSat

As a preliminary practice for actual satellite development, we develop a can-size imitation (Cansat) that contains basic functions of actual satellite. In 2018, in relation to one of our research topics “attitude control of space membrane using electromagnetic force”, we developed and launched a Cansat that has membrane’s deployment structure as well as a circuit that allows large electric current flow on top of the satellite’s membrane. The developed Cansat was launched at ARLISS, an annual event at Black Rock desert in Nevada State, America where many teams around the world gather together and launch their Cansat.

Publications

2018

Journal papers

International conferences

2017

Journal papers

International conferences

2016

Journal papers

International conferences