A Perspective on International Collaborative Programs in UNISEC - Challenges of Japanese University Students -

Paper number

IAC-06-E1.2.07

Author

Ms. Rei Kawashima, UNISEC, Japan

Coauthor

Prof. Shinichi Nakasuka, University of Tokyo, Japan

Coauthor

Prof. Tetsuo Yasaka, Kyushu University, Japan

Year

2006

Abstract

University Space Engineering Consortium(UNISEC) has dedicated to facilitating student-oriented real space activities in Japan, such as development of nano-satellites and hybrid rockets. It was formed in 2002, and has contributed to solving common difficulties such as legal, technical, financial problems as well as organizing workshops, symposia and conferences. UNISEC currently has about 30 university members with more than 300 students. 
  Since its establishment in 2002, four nano satellites made by students at University of Tokyo and Tokyo Institute of Technology were successfully launched into the orbit, and two satellites made by Nihon University and Hokkaido Institute of Technology are about to be launched in 2006. 
  UNISEC members have been limited to those who could understand Japanese, mainly because of language barrier. It doesn’t mean, however, that UNISEC is not open to international community. On the contrary, many activities cannot be pursued without international collaboration. Three programs below will be presented as examples in the paper. 
  (1) University Space Systems Symposium (USSS)
  USSS has been held yearly in Hawaii, for Japanese and US universities to develop and extend collaborative projects involving the design, fabrication, and operation of aerospace systems. It started as an activity of the Japan-US Science, Technology, and Space Applications Program (JUSTSAP) in 1998. In this symposium, the concept of CanSat, which is a coke-can sized satellite for training at entry level students, and CubeSat, which is a 10 cm cubic satellite, were introduced and led to pursue as real launching projects. 
  (2) A Rocket Launch for International Student Satellites (ARLISS)
  The ARLISS program is designed to provide an educational experience to students in the design, flight and data analysis of a space experiment. Students can launch their satellites to the altitude of 4km with rockets provided by American amateur rocket group called AERO-PAC. 
  (3) Ground Station Network (GSN) 
  The concept and system of GSN has been developed by students with intention to increase opportunities to catch the signal from satellites by using many ground station in other areas. Effective coordination of worldwide GSN would be helpful for all the participants.
 
  This paper describes on-going programs of UNISEC focusing on international collaboration, and discusses the pros and cons in comparison with domestic programs, followed by future plans and strategies to make it more effective. 

Abstract document

IAC-06-E1.2.07.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-06-E1.2.07.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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