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Nakasuka-Funase-Ikari Lab
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The lab researches and develops new space systems, from microsatellites to "furoshiki satellites".
AboutAbout the lab
Innovative space systems built on new ideas.
The Funase-Ikari Lab researches new space systems, starting with microsatellites.
From 1 kg microsatellites to 1 km-scale "furoshiki satellites" (named after the Japanese wrapping cloth), the lab pursues research and development with ideas that are not bound by the conventions of traditional space development.
With microsatellites, for which it has accumulated experience in launch and operation, the lab focuses on developing the technology needed for practical use and on finding new ways to use them.
The lab also conducts research in control engineering and artificial intelligence to operate space systems more effectively.
Key terms
- Formation Flying
- Multiple satellites flying cooperatively while maintaining a set positional relationship to one another. Also called formation flight.
- GNSS
- A system that determines one's own position using radio signals from positioning satellites such as GPS.
- Systems Engineering
- The concepts and methods for designing, developing, and operating a large engineering system, such as a satellite, so that it works well as a whole.
NewsLab news
VERTECS, a microsatellite astronomical observatory in which the lab participates, has begun full-scale astronomical observations
A doctoral student won 3rd place in the Student Poster Award at SmallSat 2026
ONGLAISAT, a microsatellite co-developed by the lab, won the Small Satellite Mission of the Year Award
A master's student won the Outstanding Student Award at the 69th Space Sciences and Technology Conference
A master's student won First Place at the 9th Mission Idea Contest (MIC9)
ResearchResearch themes
The lab is divided into several research groups, which work on control engineering, artificial intelligence, and other research aimed at operating space systems more effectively. They cover diverse areas, including coordination of multiple satellites, satellite design methods, orbits, and optical communication in space.
*Illustrative imageSatellite Formation Flying and Positioning
The lab studies formation flying, in which multiple satellites are controlled cooperatively to achieve missions that a single satellite cannot, with particular focus on high precision and very large numbers of satellites. It also works on improving the accuracy of GNSS and applying it to space missions.
*Illustrative imageSystems Engineering and AI
The lab studies methods for designing, developing, testing, and operating satellites efficiently by treating a satellite as a single system. It also aims at orbit design and autonomy for spacecraft using machine learning, such as deep learning and reinforcement learning.
*Illustrative imageOrbit Design and Orbit Determination
Within the practical constraints of microsatellites, the lab studies methods for designing orbits that are optimal in terms of fuel and time, as well as orbits that are robust to errors. It also works on orbit determination that uses optical information in addition to radio signals, reducing dependence on ground stations.
*Illustrative imageOptical Communication for Microspacecraft
Using light, which has a higher frequency than radio waves, for communication is expected to allow both smaller antennas and greater communication capacity. The lab tackles challenges in pointing control, structures, optics, and more for mounting optical communication on microspacecraft weighing 100 kg or less.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Funase-Ikari Lab consist of faculty, administrative staff, project researchers, research and development staff, and doctoral, master's, and undergraduate students.As of 2026
- Associate ProfessorRyu Funase
- Associate ProfessorSatoshi IkariPublications ↗
- Project Associate ProfessorNaoki Miyashita
- Project Assistant ProfessorIsamu MoriaiPublications ↗
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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: “FORESAIL-1 Flight Model” Petri Niemelä / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Satellite Formation Flying and Positioning: “TDX-Formation” DLR / CC BY 3.0 (cropped)
- Systems Engineering and AI: “MinXSS Flight Model 1” Jmason86 / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Orbit Design and Orbit Determination: “Stars and Satellites over Gemini North” International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/J. Warner / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Optical Communication for Microspacecraft: “Table Mountain Facility Sends DSOC Laser Beacon to NASA’s Psyche (Infrared Image) (PIA26661)” NASA/JPL-Caltech / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (Astrodynamics and Space Systems Lab): “Hayabusa2 approaching asteroid” DLR German Aerospace Center / CC BY 2.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Ogawa-Odagiri Lab): “BepiColombo spacecraft model” National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (Electric Propulsion Lab): “Ion Engine Test Firing - GPN” NASA / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (Tsuchiya Lab): “In For Landing ( )” Mathew Schwartz / CC BY 3.0 (cropped)
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