SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGYONE WOMAN LAUNCHES HERSELF INTOSPACE EXPLORATION
IN THE NEW ERA
Sending humans to the moon again—worldwide
momentum is currently building toward that goal, which
will usher in a new era of aerospace development. Here,KONAKA Mina, a researcher at the Paris Observatory
who is setting her goals into space, speaks about theimportance of space exploration and what drives her
toward her dream.

KONAKA Mina’s aspiration to explore space wastriggered when she was 11 years old. She happenedto notice a public campaign to suggest a name for a
new lunar explorer that Japan was launching. Almost
immediately, she submitted the name “Kaguya,” after
a famous Japanese fairytale princess from the moon.
“Six months later, having completely forgotten
about it, I received a commemorative badge fromthe Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency ( JAXA)
and a certificate stating that my suggestion had
been chosen,” says Konaka, currently a 26-year-old
researcher at the Paris Observatory, a French research
institute. “It made me aware, for the first time, of theexistence of a national space agency and professions
related to outer space.”
Since that time, she would secretly feel proudwhenever she saw news reports regarding Kaguya,
and began to wish that she could go to the moon aswell. This feeling grew ever stronger, and starting inher middle school years or thereabouts, she began toAt Tohoku University’s Graduate School, Konaka (center) immersed herself
in research on lunar exploration rovers and small satellites under Professor
YOSHIDA Kazuya, who is involved in a number of international space
projects. SPACE ROBOTICS LABORATORY, DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING,TOHOKU UNIVERSITYKONAKA Mina has worked at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency( JAXA) since 2020, where she worked on satellite development and otherprojects. She says that although Japan is prone to natural disasters, she feels
well-protected by aerospace technologies that monitor changes on Earth.
“Space may seem very far away, but aerospace technology actually supports
our lives in many ways.” PICTURE PRESS/AFLO

immerse herself in English, math and science studies,with the goal of becoming an astronaut. When she
was 15 and in the United States to study English,a friend’s parent, who was an engineer at National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)invited her to the Goddard Space Flight Center.
“After the tour, the engineer kindly took the time togive me one-on-one answers to my many questions.
Until then, NASA had felt like something out of amovie. It was a big realization for me to learn that
ordinary people like me were working there.”
After graduating from the Department of
Aerospace Engineering at the Tohoku University
Graduate School of Engineering, Konaka worked
as a satellite system engineer at JAXA. Wishing tohone her expertise by cultivating knowledge andperspectives not just in engineering, but in astronomy
as well, she has been studying since 2021 for her
doctorate while working at the Paris Observatory.
“For me, a job related to going into space combinesseven professions: engineer, scientist, diplomat,doctor, educator, pilot, and also artist who conveys
the appeal of outer space. In that sense, it brings
together all kinds of knowledge and experiences,” says
Konaka.
Although the number of women in the aerospaceindustry is still quite limited, she has never waveredfrom her path and keeps surging forward. Thatowes much to the role models she encountered
while studying for her master’s degree. “When I
participated in a program in the Netherlands, which
was organized by the International Space University,
I met many women whom I would like to emulate.
While my career choice might seem unique from theoutside, those inspiring role models really did help me
get through.” Wishing to do her part in supporting
younger generations, Konaka participated in 2021 asa mentor in Space4Women, a project sponsored by
the United Nations to promote the empowerment ofyoung women. For one year, she gave study and careeradvice to female students worldwide who aspired toexplore space. Even now, after the end of the project,
she stays in contact with them.
Konaka says that she will continue to explore theuniverse in various ways. With the recent surge inmomentum for lunar exploration, and the emergenceof ambitious projects around the world, both public
and private, the opportunities awaiting her are sure
to expand. In the course of gaining experience in theaerospace industry, which has always been her dream,
her thoughts toward space have also changed. “Ino longer want to go to the moon simply to satisfy
my own interests or aspirations. It is a mission
more important than such personal concerns,” says
Konaka. “Unlike the Apollo mission 50 years ago,
lunar explorations now mean an ‘expansion,’ since
they assume that some people aspire to inhabit themoon and vicinity in the future. This is a challengethat has never been taken up in human history. As aperson involved in aerospace development, and as arepresentative of Japan, I would like to contribute tosuch an endeavor.”

Konaka stands in front of the “Great Dome” at the Paris Observatory, where
she currently works as a researcher. “Although astronomy—the study ofcelestial bodies and the universe itself—differs significantly from engineering,which is mainly concerned with technological development, the two fields
are deeply interrelated. I wish to develop perspectives in both those fields,”
she says, adding, “In France, many people including those working in theaerospace industry value their private lives, but work hard when they are on
the job. I want to learn about such an outlook on life as well.”