Rocket development project in Akita gathers momentum

AKITA —

A group of local entities in Akita Prefecture is developing a small observation rocket, fueling hopes this will provide a boost for economic activity in the northeastern Japan prefecture.

The project, unusual in a field that is usually the preserve of government and big business, envisions producing a hybrid rocket powered by a liquid oxidant and solid fuel.

The development of a hybrid propellant was the biggest challenge, said Akimasa Tsutsumi, 33, an assistant professor at Akita University, which leads the program.

Begun in 2013, the venture also involves the prefectural government’s Akita Industrial Technology Center and seven businesses, most of which are based in the prefecture.

The rocket is environmentally friendly as it uses a low-toxin liquid oxidant. But the shortage of predecessor models has forced the team to go through a process of repeated trial and error.

The group successfully launched a prototype rocket, 2.4 meters long and weighing 17 kilograms, from a beach in the city of Noshiro at the end of March. In August, it conducted a combustion experiment to improve the engine.

With completion planned by 2017, the project aims to produce a 6-meter-long rocket capable of reaching an altitude of around 60 kilometers at a cost of several million yen.

Yutaka Wada, a 34-year-old senior researcher at the Chiba Institute of Technology, used to serve as a lecturer at Akita University and is involved in the project. “I’m confident our team has the capabilities to develop a competitive rocket,” he said, foreseeing a day when the rocket will be mass produced.

An altitude of around 60 km is a “niche” area between the heights reached by large rockets and balloons, according to Wada. At 60 km, the rocket will be able to collect data on the distribution of the air pollutant PM2.5—particles of 2.5 microns or less in size. While such a rocket is in strong demand, it has few rivals.

Local governments and other concerns are providing full support for the project. In Noshiro, fishermen help to retrieve rockets used in experiments. Satoru Kamata, head of the Akita technology center, said, “We will continue to support the project for its industrial success.”

In a related development, Akita University began an educational program 10 years ago to stimulate interest in space among children, using model rockets and other tools. It also created a study course for rocket development two years ago.

The national university is promoting space-related education to nurture young workers for aerospace companies and research institutes in the prefecture.

Takehiro Suzuki, 20, a second-year student at the new course, said, “I am learning cutting-edge technologies for rocket development to land a position possibly at a company in the prefecture.”

The rocket development project has helped Akita-based companies improve their technology levels.

For example, Toso Corp., a materials maker in the city of Akita, produced the body of the prototype rocket, using a molding technology for carbon fiber-reinforced plastic it has learned by sending engineers to an organization affiliated with the prefectural government.

“We will utilize the technology for our own business as well,” a Tosho executive said.