Frequent and Flexible Deep Space Exploration by Innovative Nano/Micro-satellites

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project Area: Agile and Frequent Solar System Exploration with Innovative Microsatellite
• Project/Area Number: 20H05746
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Transformative Research Areas (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Review Section: Transformative Research Areas, Section (II)
• Research Institution: Japan Aerospace EXploration Agency
• Principal Investigator: Funase Ryu 国立研究開発法人宇宙航空研究開発機構, 宇宙科学研究所, 教授 (70509819)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 永田 晴紀 北海道大学, 工学研究院, 教授 (40281787) ; 尾崎 直哉 国立研究開発法人宇宙航空研究開発機構, 宇宙科学研究所, 特任助教 (90836222)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-10-02 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 超小型衛星 / 深宇宙探査 / 太陽系探査 / 超小型探査機

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In order to achieve an ultra-small spacecraft system with a kick motor and to realize a demonstration mission in space, it is necessary to optimize the overall design of the ultra-small spacecraft system while satisfying various boundary conditions among the three planned research groups (propulsion, bus, and astrodynamics group). This administrative group promoted the research of the entire research area while maintaining consistency among the studies of each research group through research meetings using various online communication tools. In addition, the administrative group has contributed to the expansion of the community by organizing sessions at academic conferences to present the technological seeds of ultra-small spacecraft and mission needs, as well as publicizing the results of this research area to the related communities aiming for deep space exploration by ultra-small spacecraft.

Free Research Field

宇宙機システム工学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究領域の成果は高頻度な太陽系探査の実現に貢献するものであり，これまでは「粗な点情報からの推測」に留まっていた太陽系科学を質的に異なる次元に引き上げられるとともに，関連した多くの学術分野（生命科学等）と太陽系科学が真に有機的に連携した新しい学術研究の展開が期待できる．また，ベンチャー企業等の民間企業が主たるプレイヤーとなって発展してきた地球低軌道周辺の超小型衛星の世界が深宇宙へと広がることにより，人類の活動領域を真に深宇宙へ拡大することにも貢献することが期待される．