Earth and Space Exploration Center (ESEC), Ritsumeikan University

We will promote research that will open the way to a future that lasts into the next generation.

In an era where the Humanosphere expands into space, we are devoted to the mission of establishing exploration and development bases in uncharted territories and bringing groundbreaking observational data to mankind. We will advance research that paves the way for a future that can be passed on to the next generation.

RESEARCH AREA

Assuming a central role in establishing the Humanosphere on planetary bodies and developing the infrastructure thereon essential to residential and living environments.

RESEARCH AREA

Aiming to become a leading hub in the field of Earth and planetary sciences in Japan while focusing on exploration in frontier areas of space and on Earth.

RESEARCH AREA

Generating academic advancements in the field of Space Resources Management, with a particular focus on lunar water resources, and in order to address a wide range of resource materials in space.

RESEARCH AREA

Promoting the creation of innovation and social implementation in the field of Earth and planetary bodies through collaboration with diverse companies which tackle domains of extreme environments.

©JAXA

Lunar Polar Exploration

Project SLIM (Smart Lander for Investigating Moon)

The project aims to achieve high-precision landing on the lunar surface at the desired location. Saiki, Nagaoka, and Nakauchi take the lead in the development of a multi-band spectroscopic camera for lunar soil exploration.

Project LUPEX (Lunar Polar Exploration)

月The international project aims to collect data for the utilization of lunar water resources. Saiki, Nagaoka, and Nakauchi are responsible for the development of a near-infrared imaging spectroscopic device for lunar polar ice exploration.

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©JAXA

Infrastructure Construction on the Lunar Surface

New Technology Project for Innovative Unmanned Construction in Space

The project, under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, aims to accelerate the development of unmanned construction technology on the lunar surface and promote its utilization for the construction of lunar exploration bases and terrestrial operations. It is responsible for the development of surveying and ground investigation techniques to create a three-dimensional geological subsurface map of the lunar surface. Kobayashi serves as the project leader.
©三菱重工/JAXA

Establishment of Space Resources Management

We elucidate the origin and evolution of solid planets through analysis of meteorites and returned samples. We also explore energy resources on the lunar surface and other planetary bodies by conducting exploration of water resources in polar regions, developing water production facilities on the lunar surface, and carrying out geological and subsurface surveys. Our ultimate objective is to construct energy storage and supply bases on the lunar surface.
©JAXA

Development of Field Exploration Techniques

Field exploration of uncharted territories

Through interdisciplinary collaboration between science and technology, we promote the optimal utilization of space exploration techniques which have conventionally been developed on a field-by-field basis as well as the development of new techniques by making the maximum use of the synergy between space exploration and Earth exploration.

Project LUPEX (Lunar Polar Exploration)

t is an international collaborative mission between the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) aimed at acquiring data on the quantity and quality of lunar water resources to determine their usability for future sustainable space exploration activities. The mission, known as LUPEX (Lunar Polar Exploration), plans to launch a lunar polar exploration probe starting from the fiscal year 2024. It is positioned as an important international cooperation project in the field of space, conducted in collaboration with international partners. Saiki, Nagaoka, and Nakauchi are responsible for the development of a near-infrared imaging spectroscopic device for lunar polar region ice exploration.

Towards the Exploration of Lunar Water Resources

The mission aims to investigate the presence of water resources, including their quantity and distribution, in the vicinity of the long-duration shadowed regions known as "permanently shadowed regions" located near the lunar North and South poles.

Developing foundational technologies for a lunar base.

By acquiring essential data on the quantity and location of lunar water resources, it becomes possible to determine the feasibility of water utilization for future sustainable space exploration activities. Additionally, the verification of exploration techniques such as mobility, overnight stays, and drilling will contribute to various aspects of technology acquisition, including base construction, development of pressurized manned rovers, and manned landing missions on the Moon, thus paving the way for future lunar activities.

Name	Affiliation	Main research interests
Kazuto Saiki, Director	Research Organization of Science and Technology	Elucidation of mass transfer mechanisms in the interior and surface layers of solid celestial bodies, creation of Space Resources Management, and development of space exploration observation equipment
Taizo Kobayashi, Vice Director	College of Science and Engineering	Construction of infrastructure on the Moon and development of space exploration observation equipment
Nobuaki Minato, Vice Director	Graduate School of Technology Management	Research on innovation strategies based on aeronautical and space systems
Mina Fukudome	Research Organization of Open Innovation and Collaboration	Transdisciplinary Human Capital Development for the Future Space Industry
Miho Fuyama	College of Letters	Cognitive science research using quantum probability
Shinichi Ito	College of Science and Engineering	Construction of infrastructure in space and development of space exploration observation equipment
Atsushi Kakogawa	College of Science and Engineering	Mechanism and control in space exploration robotic systems and space exploration mechatronics
Kentaro Kaneko	Research Organization of Science and Technology	Research and development of semiconductors that are operable in extreme environments such as space
Yoshitaka Kawabata	College of Science and Engineering	Research on power generation and energy conversion in the space environment
Sadao Kawamura	Ritsumeikan Global Innovation Research Organization	Systems integration science/technology
Satoko Kawamura	College of International Relations	Research on global governance models for advanced science and technology (space, AI, nanotechnology, etc.)
Yuma Kawasaki	College of Science and Engineering	Research on next-generation concrete and its potential space environment applications
Masato Kiuchi	College of Science and Engineering	Elucidation of behavior of surface materials in solid celestial bodies
Takamasa Kominami	College of Science and Engineering	Sensing Technologies for Space Exploration Robots
Satoshi Konishi	College of Science and Engineering	Space environment applications of sensor and micromachine technologies
Takanobu Kosugi	College of Policy Science	Policy analysis on the utilization and management of energy of astrophysical sources
Hiroshi Kubo	College of Science and Engineering	Research on mobile satellite communications and underwater acoustic communications
Yukihiro Kubo	College of Science and Engineering	Satellite positioning and navigation systems and their application development
Michio Kumagai	Research Organization of Science and Technology	Underwater exploration using AUVs, global warming and biodiversity, wave pumps and energy
Masaaki Makikawa	Research Organization of Science and Technology	Measurement of human physiological responses in extreme environments such as space and deep sea
Hisaaki Mihara	College of Life Sciences	Elucidation of the mechanisms of co-evolution between the global environment and life
Takashi Minemoto	College of Science and Engineering	Development of next-generation low-cost high-performance solar batteries
Koichi Mouri	College of Information Science and Engineering	System Software, Computer Security, Computer Network
Hiroshi Nagaoka	Research Organization of Science and Technology	Analysis of meteorites and returned samples, space exploration data analysis and elucidation of the origin and evolution of solid planets, and development of space exploration observation equipment
Takeshi Nakagawa	Research Organization of Science and Technology	Climate change reconstruction and elucidation of mechanisms of change
Susumu Nakata	College of Information Science and Engineering	Computer simulation in space and earth exploration
Shinichi Nakasuka	Research Organization of Science and Technology	Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation and Control, Architecture, Design and Development of Micro/nano-satellites, Autonomy and Intelligence for Space Systems, Advanced Space Systems
Yusuke Nakauchi	Research Organization of Science and Technology	Development of space exploration observation equipment
Haruo Noma	College of Information Science and Engineering	Elemental technologies for VR, telerobotics, human interface, robots/sensors
Yuki Orikasa	College of Life Sciences	Creation of high-performance electrical and chemical energy conversion systems centered on secondary cells
Tatsuya Sato	College of Comprehensive Psychology	Research on human psychology in space
Hanako Suzuki	College of Comprehensive Psychology	Multicultural counseling and deployment of wellbeing in the space environment
Teppei Tsuchimoto	Research Organization of Science and Technology	Space education for deliberating on "cultivated nature"
Akira Tsuchiyama	Research Organization of Science and Technology	Analysis of solid planetary materials (meteorites, returned samples, etc.) and elucidation of solid planet evolution
Hirotatsu Watanabe	College of Science and Engineering	Solid oxide fuel cells/electrolytic cells and carbon-based energy conversion
Miya Yamade	College of Policy Science	Space habitat design, space architecture, space QOL, and history of space technology
Daisuke Yamane	College of Science and Engineering	Micro/nano-mechatronic systems for acquisition and utilization of space information
Taiju Yoneda	College of Science and Engineering	Origami engineering, mechanics, biomimetics, nite element analysis, structural mechanics, and geometric mechanics.

Name	Affiliation	Main research interests
Tetsuhito Fuse	Visiting Researcher, Kyushu Institute of Technology	Space Policy / Nano Satellite / Space Development in Emerging Nations / Open Innovation
Naoki Okada	Visiting Researcher	Industry–Academia–Government Collaboration for Space and Earth Frontier Development
Tomomi Nonaka	Visiting Researcher, Waseda University	Space QOL / ECLSS / Systems Engineering / Service Engineering
Yoshinori Saikawa	Visiting Researcher, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation	Business Model Innovation / Lunar Infrastructure / Design

We contribute to the maintenance and expansion of the human sphere of existence.

Our website URL has changed!

Opening the door to the expansion of the habitable zone on the Moon and planets, and the development of habitats and living areas.

WEB site is now open.

Lunar Polar Exploration

Project SLIM (Smart Lander for Investigating Moon)

Project LUPEX (Lunar Polar Exploration)

Infrastructure Construction on the Lunar Surface

New Technology Project for Innovative Unmanned Construction in Space

Establishment of Space Resources Management

Development of Field Exploration Techniques

Field exploration of uncharted territories

Ritsumeikan Space Management Program（RSMP） Official Website

Ritsumeikan University Official Website

We contribute to the maintenance and expansion of the human sphere of existence.

Our website URL has changed!

Opening the door to the expansion of the habitable zone on the Moon and planets, and the development of habitats and living areas.

WEB site is now open.

Lunar Polar Exploration

Project SLIM (Smart Lander for Investigating Moon)

Project LUPEX (Lunar Polar Exploration)

Infrastructure Construction on the Lunar Surface

New Technology Project for Innovative Unmanned Construction in Space

Establishment of Space Resources Management

Development of Field Exploration Techniques

Field exploration of uncharted territories

Lunar Polar Exploration

Project SLIM (Smart Lander for Investigating Moon)

High-Precision Landing Techniques

Exploring the Moon’s Rock Composition

Project LUPEX (Lunar Polar Exploration)

Towards the Exploration of Lunar Water Resources

Developing foundational technologies for a lunar base.

Ritsumeikan Space Management Program（RSMP） Official Website

Ritsumeikan University Official Website