Newsletter 2025.2 Index
Theme : "The Conference of Fluid Engineering Division (Part 1)"
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Present to Future of Rocket Propulsion -JAXA Kakuda Space Center Initiatives-
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Takeo TOMITA |
Abstract
Japan Aerospace exploration Agency Kakuda Space Center is a research and development center of space propulsion. The Center has two development-test facilities and seven test facilities for research use. By using those facilities, the Center has contributed to developing all the Japanese liquid propellant rocket engines. Research activities have produced technologies necessary for the engines. Manufactured engines and important components have tested and verified by the development-test facilities.
Recently, many private companies make inroads in space transportation business. By the same token, several Japanese private companies take on a challenge to develop each space transportation vehicle. JAXA have conducted activities to support those companies. As one of those activities, “Kakuda Public and Private Co-creation Propulsion System Development Center” is now being developed for providing rocket engine test facility, relevant knowledge and advice, to those companies.
JAXA has been preparing the Center since 2022. The facility of this Center has three test-cells which have the same interface, therefore, users can conduct their test at any test cells at the same condition. The users can get one-stop support for engine/engine-component test by using the facility.
The Center also provides a support of the “Test-Safety” procedure, for conducting challenging test avoiding hazard, for example, injury of human or damage to third party properties.
Key words
Rocket engine, Test facility, Test safety
Figures
Fig.1 Engine test facilities in Kakuda Space Center for research use and development use