The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has chosen to fund Nagoya University's "Formation of the Detonation Engine and Space Propulsion Engineering Innovation Research Hub" initiative under the Space Strategy Fund's (SSF) "SX Research and Development Site" theme.
On June 4, 2025, Nagoya University hosted a kickoff meeting for the new research hub, attended by university leadership, JAXA SSF, and partner organizations*. Attendees included Nagoya University President Naoshi Sugiyama; Dean of the Graduate School of Engineering Makoto Kobashi; Head of the Graduate Department of Aerospace Engineering Taku Nonomura; and Professor Jiro Kasahara, the leader of the new hub. The meeting confirmed that project activities can officially begin.
Nagoya University President Naoshi Sugiyama (left) receives commemorative plaque from JAXA Space Strategy Fund Program Officer Atsushi Sunami (right).
Nagoya University Professor Jiro Kasahara (left) receives commemorative plaque from JAXA Space Strategy Fund Program Officer Atsushi Sunami (right).
Detonation engines can dramatically accelerate combustion reaction rates by generating detonation waves and compression waves at extremely high frequencies (1-100 kHz or higher). This characteristic allows for the development of lighter, higher-performing rocket engines. The applications of these engines in space transportation are diverse, including kick motors for satellite orbital insertion, spacecraft orbital maneuvering engines, and launch vehicle engines.
Japan, the United States of America, and several countries in Europe and Asia are conducting research to implement this technology. Nagoya University's fundamental research and two successful spaceflight demonstrations (using JAXA's S-520-31 and S-520-34 sounding rockets in 2021 and 2024) have already made a global impact on this field.
Moment of activation of a detonation engine onboard sounding rocket S-520-31, the world's first spaceflight demonstration. (Credit: Nagoya University/JAXA)
As part of this new initiative, a third flight (JAXA's S-520-36 sounding rocket) and the construction of large-scale detonation engine experimental facilities will occur alongside more in-depth fundamental research. Furthermore, the research hub aims to be the first to demonstrate a detonation engine system in orbit.
* Partner Institutions: Keio University, Shizuoka University, Muroran Institute of Technology, Sojo University, University of Tokyo, Yokohama National University, Saitama University, Saitama Institute of Technology, Kyushu Institute of Technology, and Nakamura Engineering and Trading Service (NETS) Co., Ltd.
Related Links:
- Overview of the Space Strategy Fund (SSF)
- Announcement of "SX Research and Development Site" recipients [Japanese]
- Overview of the "SX Research and Development Site" category [Japanese]
This article was originally published in Japanese and has been translated and edited for clarity and readability by the Nagoya University International Communications Office while preserving the original content's intent. The original Japanese version is available here.