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Yokota Lab (Space Propulsion Engineering Lab)
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A lab that researches spacecraft engines using plasma and lasers.
AboutAbout the lab
Moving spacecraft with plasma and lasers
The Yokota Lab (Space Propulsion Engineering Lab) researches engines for spacecraft such as satellites and planetary probes, known as space propulsion systems.
Rather than conventional propulsion systems that use chemical reactions, the lab works on electric propulsion, which uses plasma as the propellant, and laser propulsion, which uses lasers.
On the lab's website, it is introduced under the name "Space Propulsion Engineering Lab."
Key terms
- Electric propulsion
- A spacecraft engine that uses plasma as the propellant, rather than a propulsion system based on chemical reactions
- Hall thruster
- A type of electric propulsion device. It generates ions in a region where magnetic and electric fields are perpendicular, then accelerates and expels them
- Laser ablation propulsion
- A method in which a laser is directed at a solid propellant to vaporize it, and thrust is obtained from the reaction
ResearchResearch themes
The lab researches space propulsion systems, the engines for spacecraft such as satellites and planetary probes. Its targets are not propulsion systems based on chemical reactions, but electric propulsion systems that use plasma and propulsion systems that use lasers.
*Illustrative imageHigh-power Hall thrusters
A Hall thruster is an electric propulsion device that generates ions in a region where magnetic and electric fields are perpendicular, then accelerates and expels them. Expected to be used in applications such as deep space exploration, it faces challenges on the way to higher power, and the lab works on them, including how to choose the propellant, clustering, and how to suppress erosion of the inner wall.
*Illustrative imageUnderstanding efficiency loss in MPD thrusters
An MPD thruster is a propulsion device that accelerates and expels plasma through the interaction of a magnetic field and an electric current. It has not been put into practical use because of its low propulsion efficiency and severe electrode erosion. The lab aims to clarify the physical phenomena inside the thruster and understand the mechanism by which efficiency drops.
*Illustrative imageFundamental phenomena of laser propulsion
In laser ablation propulsion, the lab investigates fundamental phenomena, such as what the energy of the irradiated laser is used for and how much goes to each. Beyond propulsion, it also studies applications to removing space debris (junk in space).
MembersFaculty
- Associate ProfessorShigeru Yokota
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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: “RIT-10 Ion Thruster ( )” Steve Jurvetson / CC BY 2.0 (cropped)
- High-power Hall thrusters: “Orbion Hall-effect thruster firing on krypton” MrAdamJohnson / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Understanding efficiency loss in MPD thrusters: “Laboratory of Dust Plasma Diagnostics” Stanislav Liubauskas / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Fundamental phenomena of laser propulsion: “Debris-GEO1280” NASA image / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (藪野研究室): “Mechanical Vibration Facility's Table - Modal Test (Free-Free)” Illudium Pu-36 / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (新宅研究室): “MetalFatigue 001” National Institute of Standards and Technology / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (粒状体力学・地盤工学研究室): “Soil nail installation for a highway abutment” AppalachianCentrist / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (藤野研究室
（プラズマ電磁流体工学研究室） ): “Front and rear views of the PIT MkVI thruster during the re-assembly process” NASA / Public domain (cropped)
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