Shinichi Ukawa
Papers
1
Total Citations
24
H-Index
1
About
Shinichi Ukawa is a pioneering researcher in space systems engineering, with a primary focus on orbital maintenance technologies and satellite servicing. His work addresses a critical challenge for the maturation of space activities: the need to maintain and repair satellites directly in their orbital environment, rather than simply deploying and abandoning them. Ukawa’s most influential contribution, detailed in his 2004 paper "Preliminary experiments on technologies for satellite orbital maintenance using Micro-LabSat 1," has garnered 24 citations and laid foundational groundwork for autonomous on-orbit servicing. Through experiments with the Micro-LabSat 1 platform, he demonstrated key technologies for rendezvous, inspection, and potential repair—concepts that are now vital for extending satellite lifespans and reducing space debris. As a researcher at the Communications Research Laboratory (CRL), Ukawa helped shift the paradigm from disposable spacecraft to sustainable orbital infrastructure. His work remains highly relevant today, informing modern missions in satellite life extension and active debris removal, and establishing him as a key figure in the evolution of responsible space operations.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
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