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Aerodynamics Lab
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A lab that investigates the aerodynamics of rockets and flying cars through computation and wind tunnel experiments.
AboutAbout the lab
Sharpening the ability to think things through, with air as the subject.
The Aerodynamics Lab is centered on aerospace engineering and studies aerodynamics, the science of airflow, and compressible fluid dynamics.
Using computational fluid dynamics (CFD), which calculates airflow on computers, the lab analyzes the aerodynamics of rockets and eVTOL aircraft (flying cars).
It also uses wind tunnel facilities at JAXA's Institute of Space and Astronautical Science as well as the lab's own wind tunnels to investigate aerodynamic forces experimentally.
Most research themes are conducted jointly with JAXA, and the themes are decided through discussion between students and faculty.
Key terms
- Computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
- A method of studying fluid phenomena by calculating the flow of air and other fluids on a computer
- eVTOL (flying car)
- The name for electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, also called "flying cars"
- Wind tunnel
- An experimental facility that blows air to measure the forces acting on a model. The lab has a supersonic wind tunnel and a low-speed wind tunnel
NewsLab news
A paper co-authored by Professor Kitamura and others has been accepted for publication in Journal of Evolving Space Activities
Professor Kitamura received the Outstanding Reviewers 2024-2025 Award from Computers & Fluids
A paper co-authored with JAXA has been accepted for publication in Transactions of JSASS
A paper by Professor Kitamura and others was published in International Journal of Aeronautical and Space Sciences
A student received the Student Outstanding Presentation Award at the 63rd Aircraft Symposium
ResearchResearch themes
Centered on aerospace engineering, the Aerodynamics Lab studies aerodynamics and compressible fluid dynamics. In addition to aerodynamic analysis of flight vehicles using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and wind tunnel testing, the lab also works on research into CFD methods themselves, and most of its research themes are conducted jointly with JAXA.
*Illustrative imageAerodynamic Analysis of Rockets with Protrusions
The lab analyzes the aerodynamics of JAXA's Epsilon rocket, whose first launch took place in September 2013, and of related flows, mainly supersonic ones.
*Illustrative imageAerodynamic Analysis of Reusable Rockets and Other Vehicles
Using numerical analysis, the lab investigates the aerodynamics of future space transportation vehicles, including reusable rockets, Hayabusa-type capsules, and supersonic parachutes.
*Illustrative imageAerodynamics Research on eVTOL and Rotorcraft
This is research on eVTOL aircraft (flying cars) and rotorcraft. It targets the aerodynamics of future aircraft.
*Illustrative imageWind Tunnel Testing of Flight Vehicles
Using wind tunnel facilities at JAXA's Institute of Space and Astronautical Science and the university's supersonic and low-speed wind tunnels, the lab conducts force measurement with a balance, pressure measurement, and flow visualization tests.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Aerodynamics Lab consist of faculty members, administrative assistants, doctoral students, master's students, and undergraduate students.As of 2026
- ProfessorKeiichi Kitamura
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: “221206-F-KN521-2020” U.S. Air Force photo by Jill Pickett / Public domain (cropped)
- Aerodynamic Analysis of Rockets with Protrusions: “Soyuz TMA-9 launch” Bill Ingalls / Public domain (cropped)
- Aerodynamic Analysis of Reusable Rockets and Other Vehicles: “Saturn Rocket Model - GPN” NASA / Public domain (cropped)
- Aerodynamics Research on eVTOL and Rotorcraft: “Volocopter,IAA 2017, Frankfurt (1Y7A1911)” Matti Blume / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Wind Tunnel Testing of Flight Vehicles: “Supersonic Wind Tunnel Test Section - GPN” NASA/GRC / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (Space Flight and Exploration Engineering Lab): “IKAROS solar sail” Andrzej Mirecki / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Aeronautical Fluid Dynamics Lab): “2011 01 Wirbelst rke 4000” DLR / CC BY 3.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Computational Materials Mechanics Lab): “Fluid-Structure-Interaction-Topology-Optimization-2” Chrlundg / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Clean Energy Conversion Lab): “Toyota, IAA 2024, Hanover (P1200042)” Matti Blume / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
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