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Kiyoaki Okudaira
Kyushu University Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Satellite, Space Debris, Astrodynamics

Kiyoaki Okudaira

I am an undergraduate student at Kyushu University Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics. My research interests lie in the field of astrodynamics and astronomy.

My current research experiences include optical observation into fragmentation of Russian EKRAN 2 Spacecraft (trajectory & light-curve analysis) and qualifying impacts of satellite constellations on ground-based astronomical observations.

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Research Projects

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Search Strategy for Unknown Space Objects for the Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities

With Professor Hanada, Professor Nakajima, and Professor Yoshimura, I am investigating fragmentations of Russian EKRAN 2 Spacecraft, which were supposed to be generated by an explosion of a battery loaded on. By using an astronomical telescope (the 40cm reflecting telescope at the Pegasus Astronomical Observatory), we are trying to capture trajectories of these fragmentations Then, we are analyzing orbital elements and forms of them by using plate-solving method and lightcurve.

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Investigation and research in satellite constellation mitigation for ground-based astronomy

With Dr. Meredith Rawls, I find satellite streaks, measure their brightness, and identify the source of each streak by using images from DECam on the Blanco 4 m-telescope in Chile to qualify impacts of satellite constellations on ground-based astronomical observations. This project is optimized by International Astronomical Union Centre for the Protection of the Dark & Quiet Sky 
from Satellite Constellation Interference (IAU CPS) SatHub team.

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Space Engineering Observation Project

In this project, with Professor Hanada, Professor Nakajima, and Professor Yoshimura, I calculated orbit prediction of satellites and took pictures of them through an astronomical telescope (the 40cm reflecting telescope in Kyushu University). Using these pictures, I determined actual astronomical position of the satellites by Plate Solve method and its' orbital elements by Gauss's IOD (Initial Orbit Determination) method.

Awards

Prizes

  • Yamakawa Prize (President’s Award), Kyushu University
    • Awarded excellent academic record and acts for humanity, sociability, and internationally
  • KIKAN Education Award (Dean’s Award; Top 2% freshman GPA), Kyushu University
  • Student Presentation Award, JSASS Western Branch Symposium, 2023
  • Olga Bannova Award, Global Education Program in NASA, 2024
    • Awarded excellent presentation & team work about space exploration and space architecture in the program

Scholarship

  • Global Human Resource Development Scholarship, Keidanren (Japan Business Federation)
    • Endowed 2 million JPY to study at University of Washington

Publications

Conference Paper

  • Kiyoaki Okudaira, Yasuhiro Yoshimura, Kensuke Nakajima, Hidehiro Hata, Kumi Nitta, and Toshiya Hanada: Investigation into Fragmentation of the Russian EKRAN 2 Spacecraft, 45th COSPAR Scientific Assembly, PEDAS.1-0033-24, 2024.
  • Kiyoaki Okudaira, Toshiya Hanada, Kensuke Nakajima, and Yasuhiro Yoshimura: Optical observation and investigation into Fragmentation of Russian EKRAN 2 Spacecraft, JSASS Western Branch Symposium, JSASS-2023-S031, 2023.

Conference Poster

  • Kiyoaki Okudaira, Yasuhiro Yoshimura, Kensuke Nakajima, and Toshiya Hanada: Investigation into Fragmentation of the Russian EKRAN series Spacecraft, 68th Space Science and Technology conference, P120, 2024.