My favorite phrase: Failure is not an option

Q: Why did you choose this phrase?

These are the words of Gene Kranz, the chief flight director of NASA's Apollo 13 mission, an engineer I admire. In this mission, the moon landing was cancelled because of an accident, but human casualties were successfully avoided. This episode was made into a movie. Gene Kranz uttered these words immediately after the accident, and they inspired me to pursue engineering. True to his words, I got goose bumps when I saw the teamwork and technology used to achieve the goal of avoiding human casualties under extremely severe conditions.

Q: What is your research topic?

Artificial satellites in orbit, such as broadcast satellites, GPS satellites, and weather satellites, have enriched our lives. Among them, my main research topic is the control systems of nanosatellites, which are satellites with masses ranging from several kilograms to several tens of kilograms. Nanosatellites have many limitations such as size and mass. It is necessary to build and control systems based on requirements that differ from conventional practices because the design conditions are different from those of large satellites. In addition, we are studying satellite development process technologies that will shorten the development period and improve cost-effectiveness for commercial applications. Recently, I have also been involved in research on compact high-power actuator systems.

Q: What will this research enable us to do?

By reducing the development cost and shortening the development period of spacecraft, we hope to create an environment in which many people who have not been interested in space utilization will seriously consider its use, which will lead to the creation of a new industry. We also consider it enlarges in orbit experiments opportunities to various research fields researchers more easily verify functions and performance in space. We would like to help enrich people's lives by picking up the demand that could not be covered only with existing systems.

Q: How did you embark on this research?

I was inspired by my current research theme at a lab tour just before I decided on the lab. A senior student was talking passionately about how interesting his research topic was, and also emphasized, "let us experiment in orbit with what we made." This event was the trigger of my involvement in this field. Although we could not do that while at school (LOL), I was fortunately able to work with him after graduating, and we conducted experiments in space using the equipment we had made together.

Q: When do you realize that research is interesting or rewarding?

The moment I come up with a solution to a problem I have been struggling with is rewarding. I am glad I am doing it, although it is painful while I am thinking about it.

This is a little different from "interesting," but when my collaborators say, "It was great working with you," I feel happy to be doing this job.

Q: Do you sometimes feel you might surrender to the research challenge?

When I have time after being "fully" depressed, I try to do something completely unrelated. I binge on a hobby or go out with my friends. This is because casual chit-chat can ground me, and sometimes ideas are born from this exchange.

Q: Please tell us about an experience that you can only talk about now.

I usually tell my students strictly to perform experiments based on predefined procedures, however, I made many mistakes during the first space experiment with my first project's satellite, because I was so excited and could not keep calm. In the experiment, the procedure started with checking my and my friend's components operation. However, just after we find our components' health, both got so excited that we could not keep going with the experimental procedure. The leader shouted to us to continue the experiment procedure. Without his command, we failed to continue the first experiment. Fortunately, the first experiment finished successfully. After the procedure was completed, I cried with emotion, and the leader shouted in excitement. It is a good memory, but an embarrassing one because the whole scene was being broadcast on audio at a public viewing venue in the nearest shopping center.

Q: What are your goals and ambitions for the future?

I have two big hopes: "To contribute to Japan's space development" and "to research useful technologies (since engineering is a practical science)." I would like to continue to conduct research that will lead to technologies needed in the real world.

 (Revised in September 2021)