Practical Space Engineering Project

Academic unit or major

Graduate major in Mechanical Engineering

Instructor(s)

Hiroki Nakanishi / Toshihiro Chujo / Manabu Kodama

Class Format

Lecture/Exercise/Experiment (Face-to-face)

Media-enhanced courses

-

Day of week/Period
(Classrooms)

Intensive

Class

-

Course Code

MEC.M432

Number of credits

111

Course offered

2025

Offered quarter

1-2Q

Syllabus updated

Apr 2, 2025

Language

Japanese

Syllabus

Course overview and goals

The aim of this course is for students to learn practical processes of space engineering theory and project management techniques through design and creation of artificial satellite models, and launching experiments, in particular, through efforts to think logically as much as possible. For the success of space missions, the capabilities of effectively carrying out a project as well as detailed design and plans that are theoretically confirmed. In this course, students will tackle the development of satellite models and experiments on flight, making full use of all knowledge of space engineering acquired so far. They will fully understand the relationship between theory and practice and application methods to learn management skills to effectively run a project. In addition, through coordination and negotiations for rocket launches and on-site reporting sessions and so on, they will develop their abilities to communicate their thoughts, understand others, and work together with others.

Course description and aims

By the end of this course, students will be able to
1) Gain basic/common knowledge of space engineering necessary for satellite development
2) Learn the basics of project management to understand and implement the process leading from project planning to achievement
3) Learn skills for teamwork, such as leadership and followership
4) Lead negotiations with others/other groups to improve their abilities to understand others and communicate their thoughts
5) Learn design theory as engineering by theoretically analyzing and integrating the knowledge and insights through design, development and experiments.

Student learning outcomes

実務経験と講義内容との関連 (又は実践的教育内容)

In this lecture, practical knowledge on space engineering is provided by lecturers who have experiences about research and development of space science satellites and deep space exploration spacecraft in JAXA.

Keywords

Space Engineering, Satellite design and development, Project Management

Competencies

• Specialist skills
• Intercultural skills
• Communication skills
• Critical thinking skills
• Practical and/or problem-solving skills
• Advanced expertise in mechanical engineering, ability to use expertise to solve problems and make creative proposals, and ability to plan and execute projects in cooperation with others.

Class flow

In order to carry out advanced missions, students will design and develop a satellite model of beverage can size, called CANSAT, and perform a deployment test from a balloon. Furthermore, although it is out of the scope of the course, students may participate in the rocket launching event to be held in the US in September to conduct flight tests, if they wish to participate and they pass external reviews. They will work on preparation so that they can pass required functional/environmental tests and examinations set by NPOs in Japan. In principle, the number of the participating students will be limited to around 10. In addition to regular lecture classes where progress reports, discussions, environmental tests, and review sessions will be held, students will participate in external reviews, joint balloon experiments, and the like.

Course schedule/Objectives

Study advice (preparation and review)

Textbook(s)

Handout

Reference books, course materials, etc.

Handouts and several texts introduced in the lecture

Evaluation methods and criteria

Report about CanSat design, development, tests, process, and so on, is evaluated in a comprehensive way (100%).

Related courses

• MEC.M433 ： Space Systems Analysis A
• MEC.M531 ： Space Systems Analysis B
• MEC.M434 ： Space Robotics
• MEC.M532 ： Space Systems and Missions
• MEC.M533 ： Special Topics of Advanced Space Engineering A
• MEC.M534 ： Special Topics of Advanced Space Engineering B
• MEC.M431 ： Space Systems Design
• MEC.M231 ： Introduction to Space Engineering
• MEC.M331 ： Space Systems Engineering
• MEC.M333 ： Advanced Space Engineering

Prerequisites

First, strong communication skill in Japanese must be required, and basic knowledge on Space Engineering is needed.
Attendance students are limited to about ten in number by a selection.
Main working language is Japanese for feasible and efficient communications, but if necessary, English summary will be provided.