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Shock Wave and Space Propulsion Lab
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A lab that aims to change aerospace propulsion by understanding shock waves, plasma, and cryogenic flows.
AboutAbout the lab
New propulsion technologies from complex flows.
The Shock Wave and Space Propulsion Lab studies new technologies for flying and propulsion in the aerospace field.
The lab aims to deeply understand complex, advanced flows such as shock waves, plasma and high-temperature flows, and cryogenic flows, and to generate new ideas.
The lab develops plasma thrusters that use liquid hydrogen, a propellant used in rockets, and studies how cooling walls to cryogenic temperatures in supersonic flow suppresses flow separation.
Key terms
- Electric propulsion
- A method of moving a spacecraft by accelerating and expelling propellant using electricity. It requires less propellant.
- Shock wave
- A thin layer in a flow faster than sound, across which pressure and density change abruptly.
- Cryogenic propellant
- A very cold liquid rocket propellant, such as liquid hydrogen (−253°C) or liquid oxygen.
NewsLab news
A student won the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers Miura Award and the Japan Society for Aeronautical and Space Sciences Award
A master's student won the Young Presentation Award at the 2025 Shock Wave Symposium
ResearchResearch themes
The lab conducts research on shock waves and supersonic flows, and on space propulsion. Using equipment it has developed itself, it takes on both experiments and analysis, covering everything from the flow around supersonic aircraft to electric propulsion and cryogenic propellants.
*Illustrative imageFlow Research for Supersonic Flight
Assuming that walls are cooled with liquid hydrogen carried as fuel, the lab studies how cryogenic cooling suppresses boundary layer separation caused by shock waves. It also works on thermal protection that cools the vehicle with a fluid, and on analysis of communication blackout, in which plasma from rocket flames or atmospheric reentry blocks radio waves (joint research with JAXA and others).
*Illustrative imageMPD Thrusters
The lab studies MPD thrusters, electric thrusters that accelerate plasma as a whole through the force of electric current and magnetic fields, and can increase thrust density. It works on developing thrusters designed to reduce electrode erosion, as well as electrodeless thrusters.
*Illustrative imageElectric Propulsion with New Propellants and Strong Magnetic Fields
The lab proposes a propulsion system that uses dry ice as propellant in place of xenon, which is expensive and limited in supply. It also studies a plasma thruster with a strong magnetic field produced by high-temperature superconducting coils (joint research with an overseas university), and electron sources for Hall thrusters in cooperation with JAXA.
*Illustrative imageCryogenic Liquid Propulsion
This research aims to enable cryogenic propellants such as liquid hydrogen to keep being used in space during long journeys to the Moon and planets. From the standpoint of heat and fluid flow, and in cooperation with JAXA, NASA, and others, the lab studies electric propulsion using boiled-off hydrogen, devices that cool propellant further, and long-term storage on the lunar surface.
MembersFaculty
The Shock Wave and Space Propulsion Lab consists of faculty members, a secretary, technical staff, and doctoral, master's, and undergraduate students.As of 2026
- Associate ProfessorKiyoshi Kinefuchi
- Project Assistant ProfessorAyumu Nono
VoicesStudent voices
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Report an errorAbout the images
For images provided to us or used with permission, the source is listed on each line. Wikimedia Commons images are illustrative and were not taken at the lab (they are cropped). Cropped CC BY-SA images are provided under the same CC BY-SA license as the original (version shown on each line).
- Top image: “RS-68 rocket engine test” NASA / Public domain (cropped)
- Flow Research for Supersonic Flight: “Schlieren photograph of T-38 shock waves” Leonard Weinstein / NASA / Public domain (cropped)
- MPD Thrusters: “Self-field MPD thruster-CGI illustration” NASA / Public domain (cropped)
- Electric Propulsion with New Propellants and Strong Magnetic Fields: “Orbion Hall-effect thruster firing on krypton” MrAdamJohnson / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Cryogenic Liquid Propulsion: “Artemis III Liquid Hydrogen Tank Prepares for Thermal Protection System Application (MAF 20240520 CS3 LH2 move Cell N BLDG131-107)” NASA Michoud Assembly Facility / Steven B. Seipel / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (Propulsion and Energy Systems Engineering Lab): “Rotating Detonation Engine Operating in Space” 推進エネルギーシステム工学研究グループ / Used with the lab's permission (cropped)
- Related lab (Control Systems Engineering Lab): “ESA lunar lander DLR at ILA - Day 2” DLR German Aerospace Center / CC BY 2.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Structural Mechanics Lab): “" 13 Fiat-Chrysler - Safety - Body Exterior Carbon Fiber Composite Roof Assembly SRT Viper” spe.automotive / CC BY 2.0 it (cropped)
- Related lab (Sensing Engineering Lab): “Atomic Force Microscope 01” Gannu03 / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
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