Junichiro Kawaguchi appointed as Technical Advisor to ALE Co., Ltd.
~ Making the best use of Hayabusa's expertise in the world's first artificial shooting star to enhance the success of its mission ~
On August 1, 2018, ALE Co., Ltd. (Tokyo Minato-ku, CEO: Lena Okajima) announced that Dr. Junichiro Kawaguchi was newly appointed as Technical Adviser.
ALE aims to establish both science and entertainment in its business and is pursuing the SkyCanvas space entertainment business, including the world's first satellite-based artificial shooting stars, . Dr. Kawaguchi was appointed as its Technical Advisor to enhance the success in the artificial shooting star business.
As the leader of the Hayabusa Project, Dr. Kawaguchi contributed to a success of obtaining samples from an asteroid and returning to the earth (reentry), for the first company in the world. His extensive experience with satellites has been highly praised both domestically and internationally.
ALE is developing satellites with advice from Dr. Kawaguchi on their design and operation. In particular, he will play a key role for the development of a new thruster installed on the second artificial shooting star satellite and provide ALE with a full support for the technology to accurately control the orbit of the satellite and deliver shooting stars at the targeted date and time.
[Comment from Junichiro Kawaguchi]
ALE's unique approach has always been enjoyable. There are many constraints on small satellite missions and it is not easy to realize these missions. I am greatly encouraged by the hard work of the young people of ALE and intend to continue to support the project with the best effort I can provide.
[Comments by Mr. Lena Okajima, Representative Director/CEO]
I am delighted that Dr. Kawaguchi joined ALE as technical Advisor. Since 2015, Dr. Kawaguchi has given us a variety of advice on our mission. I also feel that his attitude of exploring curiosity and continuing to take on challenges is very similar to that of ALE's corporate culture. I am confident that having Dr. Kawaguchi as an advisor will enable ALE to move forward one step further.
[Profile of Junichiro Kawaguchi]
Doctor of Engineering. Born in 1955 in Aomori Prefecture. He graduated from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kyoto University in 1978. In 1983, he completed his doctorate in aeronautics at the Graduate School of Engineering, the University of Tokyo. Professor at the Graduate School of Systems, Institute of Space Science, the former Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and Professor at the Graduate School of Space Navigation Systems Research, Institute of Space Science, National Institute of Space Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Hayabusa, the world's first asteroid explorer to bring back samples from an asteroid. He now serves as a JAXA senior fellow.
[About ALE Co., Ltd.]
Company name: ALE Co., Ltd.
Address: 2nd floor, Kawamoto Building, 2-21-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Representative Director/CEO Lena Okajima
Establishment: September 1, 2011
Business: Sky Canvas Space Entertainment Business, including Artificial Shooting Stars
Research and development of satellite technology