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Saito (Y.) Lab
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A lab that uses combustion tests to find out what is happening inside rockets.
AboutAbout the lab
Seeing inside propulsion devices through combustion tests.
Saito Lab studies space propulsion systems, such as rockets and thrusters, that involve chemical reactions.
Its central theme is to elucidate the mechanisms of heat and mass transfer inside propulsion devices, which determine propulsion performance.
The lab pursues two tracks side by side: fundamental research, and system demonstration and development centered on joint research.
It is a new lab established on April 1, 2026, and carries out its research mainly through combustion tests.
Key terms
- Hybrid rocket
- A rocket that burns a solid fuel together with a liquid or gaseous oxidizer
- Thruster
- A small propulsion device used to change the attitude or orbit of a satellite or space probe
- Specific impulse
- A measure of how efficiently a propellant is converted into thrust
NewsLab news
Follow-up report published on the combustion tests in Shiraoi, conducted as joint research
Ground combustion tests carried out in joint research with ElevationSpace, Inc. and JAXA
The lab has started up
Paper published
Paper published
ResearchResearch themes
The core of the research is to elucidate the mechanisms of heat and mass transfer inside propulsion devices that govern the performance of propulsion systems (space propulsion internal ballistics). The lab aims at integrated engineering research that links the scientific principles obtained in this way with system demonstrations, moving back and forth between the two.
*Illustrative imageUnderstanding combustion in hybrid propulsion systems
The lab studies the phenomenon in which solid fuel regresses as it burns, in hybrid rockets and thrusters that use a solid fuel with a liquid or gaseous oxidizer. It works on advancing measurement that captures both time and space in fine detail, and on clarifying the combustion mechanism.
*Illustrative imageHybrid thrusters for deorbit
The lab aims to clarify the fuel regression characteristics and the residual thrust characteristics of hybrid thrusters for deorbit. This is joint research with ElevationSpace, Inc., a space startup spun out of Tohoku University.
*Illustrative imageLow-toxicity dual-mode thrusters
The lab aims to improve the functionality of dual-mode space propulsion systems, which combine chemical propulsion using low-toxicity propellants and electric propulsion in a single system to cover a wide range of thrust and specific impulse.
*Illustrative imageMicro diffusion flames of deforming solids
The lab investigates micro diffusion flames that form while the solid deforms. This is the basic combustion flame underlying end-burning hybrid rockets, but this research focuses on the fundamental combustion itself.
MembersFaculty
The members of Saito Lab consist of faculty, technical assistants, and undergraduate students.As of 2026
- Associate ProfessorYuji Saito
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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: “Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) Test Firing - GPN” NASA / Public domain (cropped)
- Understanding combustion in hybrid propulsion systems: “3D Printed Hybrid Rocket Fuel Grain” Matt Steiner and Kees08 / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Hybrid thrusters for deorbit: “I-Ball(Intelligent Ballistic reentry capsule) Scale Model at Kobe International Conference Center 20150704” Hunini / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Low-toxicity dual-mode thrusters: “RIT-10 Ion Thruster ( )” Steve Jurvetson / CC BY 2.0 (cropped)
- Micro diffusion flames of deforming solids: “Researcher Thomas Kick works on the high-pressure burner at the DLR Institute of Combustion Technology” DLR / CC BY 3.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (深見 研究室): “CFD Orbiter Model - 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)
- 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 (桒原 研究室): “CubeSats launched by ISS Expedition 33” NASA / Public domain (cropped)
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