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Kuwahara Lab
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A lab that builds space infrastructure with small satellites.
AboutAbout the lab
Making space itself the laboratory.
Kuwahara Lab focuses on the dynamics and control of space systems and works on space development, utilization, and exploration with small space systems.
The lab studies orbit and attitude control technologies, space environment utilization technologies, on-orbit servicing technologies, space robotics, and technologies for lunar and planetary exploration.
Including the achievements of its predecessor lab, it has developed micro- and nanosatellites ranging from CubeSats to the 100 kg class, and has demonstrated them in orbit.
While incorporating cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and new materials, the lab is building the foundation of space infrastructure.
Key terms
- Micro- and nanosatellite
- A small satellite ranging from about 1 kg to the 100 kg class. CubeSats are also in this group.
- On-orbit servicing
- Technology for approaching a satellite in space to carry out tasks such as refueling or capture.
- Hybrid thruster
- A propulsion device that combines a solid fuel with an oxidizer such as a liquid. Combustion can be stopped by stopping the oxidizer.
NewsLab news
A paper from the lab was published in Thin-Walled Structures
A paper from the lab was published in T-JSASS
A paper from the lab was published in Aerospace
A student received the Outstanding Student Presentation Award at the Lecture Meeting of the Northern Branch of the Japan Society for Aeronautical and Space Sciences
An undergraduate student received the Student Award of the Japan Society for Aeronautical and Space Sciences
ResearchResearch themes
The lab systematically studies the dynamics and control of space systems, divided into seven academic fields. The targets range from the basic fields of orbit and attitude to flexible structures, atmospheric reentry, space propulsion, and then on-orbit servicing and planetary exploration robotics.
*Illustrative imageAstrodynamics
This research designs, predicts, and controls spacecraft orbits while taking into account the gravity of the Sun, Earth, and Moon, and disturbances such as atmospheric drag and the solar wind. The lab works on methods for traveling efficiently within the cislunar region between Earth and the Moon, and on optimizing orbits for deep space missions.
*Illustrative imageAttitude dynamics
To keep a spacecraft pointed in the direction suited to its purpose, the lab studies everything from element technologies such as sensors and actuators to the integration of the whole system. Target pointing control, which keeps tracking a target, was demonstrated in orbit on a satellite developed by the lab.
*Illustrative imageStructural dynamics
The lab analyzes the deployment behavior of flexible structures such as large solar panels and deployable masts using nonlinear FEM. DOM, a membrane-deployment deorbit device that speeds up deorbiting through atmospheric drag, is a product of joint research with Nakashimada Engineering Works, Ltd., and the lab is working toward its demonstration in orbit.
*Illustrative imageReentry dynamics
The lab investigates the interaction between spacecraft and planetary atmospheres that is needed to return from space to the ground or to land on the surface of Mars. It studies deorbit control using a high-thrust hybrid thruster, and lifting guidance technology that leads a reentry capsule to a target point.
MembersFaculty
The members of Space Infrastructure Engineering Lab consist of faculty members, secretaries, and doctoral, master's, and undergraduate students.As of 2026
- ProfessorToshinori Kuwahara
- Project Assistant ProfessorKeisuke Takehana
VoicesStudent voices
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Report an errorAbout the images
The top and research theme images are illustrative and were not taken at the lab. They are cropped from Wikimedia Commons images. Cropped CC BY-SA images are provided under the same CC BY-SA license as the original (version shown on each line).
- Top image: “CubeSats launched by ISS Expedition 33” NASA / Public domain (cropped)
- Astrodynamics: “Lunar Gateway orbit seen from Earth” screenshot taken by Holger Isenberg https://areo.info / CC0 (cropped)
- Attitude dynamics: “Tetraederanordnung Reaktionsraeder” René Schwarz / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Structural dynamics: “Europa Clipper Solar Array Wing Deployment (Second Wing) (KSC-20240821-PH-FMX01 0059)” NASA Kennedy Space Center / NASA/Frank Michaux / Public domain (cropped)
- Reentry dynamics: “Soyuz 34 reentry capsule 03” Stolbovsky / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (槙原・原/大塚 研究室): “S121E07764 - STS-121 - View of the P6 Truss and Solar Array taken from the orbiter after undocking from the ISS during STS-121 - DPLA - 4dce24f38ba8ea0a052ec9b52a371ef4” National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. 2/17/1973 / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (深見 研究室): “CFD Orbiter Model - GPN” NASA / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (齋藤(勇) 研究室): “Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) Test Firing - GPN” NASA / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (焼野 研究室): “JAXA 1.27m Hypersonic Wind Tunnel P4223597” Kestrel / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
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