8-2. Research Centers

Center for Orbital and Suborbital Observations (COSO)
 Establishment of an aircraft observing system
 Aircraft observations of cloud, aerosol and typhoon Solar observation missions using micro satellites
 Studies of multiple small satellite operations for
future space science exploration programs
 Human resource development for spaceapplications
 Promotion of Earth observing satellites

Based on ISEE research objectives, which encompass natural phenomena ranging from the Earth’s surface to outerspace, the Center for Orbital and Suborbital Observations (COSO) is expected to perform empirical and advanced researchthrough observation, especially through collaboration among industry, academia, and government, leading to remarkabletechnological developments for aircraft, balloons, sounding rockets, and spacecraft observations. COSO aims to be the coreof aircraft observation in Japan and investigates and promotes future space exploration missions to obtain new knowledgeof physical phenomena in cooperation with domestic and foreign research institutions. By promoting interdisciplinary
activities and efficient common technology development, COSO can improve observation capabilities for future orbital andsuborbital observations. The Hydrospheric Atmospheric Research Laboratory contributed to the Virtual Laboratory with fouruniversities using X- and Ka-band radars, together with numerical model studies. The Space Exploration and Research Office(SERO) is undertaking nanosatellite and human resource development programs for space applications. The Aircraft
Observation Promotion Office was established in FY2021 to further promote aircraft observations in Japan.

Main Activities in FY2022
Promotion of aircraft observations
Aircraft observations of Typhoon Nanmadol were performed using
dropsondes on September 16 and 17, 2022. Nanmadol was a super-typhoonthat rapidly intensified and made landfall in Kagoshima at its fourth lowest
pressure. We made penetrating observations of the eye twice daily, and 50
dropsondes were launched. A detailed analysis is currently underway. As partof the SIP program, we performed aircraft observations of water vapor andoptimized the aircraft observation system on July 5, 2022, over the East China
Sea. High-frequency observations of the horizontal and vertical water vapor
profiles on the upwind side of the precipitation area were performed. Although
the numerical model forecast demonstrated a large area of precipitable wateraround East China Sea, the aircraft observation results indicated that theamount of precipitable water was considerably lower than the numerical

Precipitable water computed by CReSS at
09:00 JST on July 5, 2022, and the precipitablewater (circles with color) obtained from dropsonde observations.

model results. Observations also indicated that the variability of precipitable precipitation was large in fine scales. Dropsonde observations were also performed on these flights within the framework of the joint usage program of the ISEE. In
the research project under the MLIT program, aerosol measurement system, cloud nuclei counter, and ice nuclei counter
were installed on NASA/DC-8, and observations were performed in Florida and Cape Verde. They participated insimultaneous aircraft and ship observations of aerosols and clouds in the western North Pacific during the summer of 2022.
New analytical methods have been introduced, particularly for solid aerosols, which act as important ice nuclei.
68 Institute for Space–Earth Environmental Research

8-2. Research Centers

Aircraft Observation Promotion Office
A proposal was submitted as a joint proposal by the Meteorological Society of Japan, the Atmospheric ChemistrySociety of Japan, and the Japan Society for Aeronautical and Space Sciences to the "Future Science Promotion Initiative,"
the successor to the Science Council of Japan’s Master Plan. Additionally, ten aircraft observation seminars were held.

Hydrospheric Atmospheric Research Laboratory
From June to August 2022, joint observations of the Baiu fronts and typhoons were performed on Yonaguni Island jointlywith the United States (Colorado State University) and Taiwan. Synchronized observations were performed using C-band radarby the U.S. and X-band radar by ISEE, and continuous sonde observations were performed jointly by Japan and the U.S.

Investigations on the ground operation system realizing the formation flight observations ofmultiple satellites by the orbital controls due to the aerodynamics
Multiple satellite missions performing formation flight observations are required to modify the conventional ground
operation system to control and maintain the formation flight configurations of multiple satellites. Functions of the groundsystem need to be incorporated to accomplish quick satellite orbit determination based on GPS data and the precise predictionof satellite orbit corrections by computing atmospheric drag characteristics during perigee passage based on a precise modelof the terrestrial upper atmosphere and the accurate control of satellite attitudes. The modified ground operation system isalso used to generate onboard programs, so-called “timelines,” to implement accurate satellite attitude control for therequired precise satellite orbit corrections. System functions newly incorporated to the current ground system for multiple
satellite missions should perform the above procedures within three days.

Solar observation mission using nanosatellites
We are developing a solar neutron and gamma-ray detector intended for nanosatellites weighing less than 10 kg. Nanosatellites
are chosen because they have more launch opportunities than 50-kg satellites, such as ChubuSat. Although we planned to launch
an engineering prototype in October FY2022 in the framework of the JAXA Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration-3
program and it was unsuccessful due to a failure of the launch vehicle. Subsequently, we submitted a new proposal for a scientificinstrument to the JAXA Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration-4 program. We added functionality to send quick
information on the space weather detected by the instrument via low-power, wide-area network technology. This proposal was notselected for the program partly because many proposals from the previous failed launch were selected. Currently, we are developing
an engineering model which will be proposed for the JAXA Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration-5 program.

Space Exploration and Research Office (SERO)
SERO was established as the first step toward forming a research center to consolidate all space-related activities at
the university and promote hardware development and observational research for space exploration and science. The
development of nanosatellites is one of the most critical SERO research activities. Educational activities are also
important in SERO. We held a basic 2-week training course in August/September and an advanced 2-week training coursein March. There were 61 applicants for the basic course and 53 for the advanced course. More than 85% of the applicants
were from outside Nagoya University and more than 50% of the applicants were from industries.

Promotion of observations using Earth-observing satellites
Led the algorithm development team for GPM/DPR and promoted the development of PMM mission of JAXA as a project
scientist. An algorithm for estimating phytoplankton species was developed and used to identify red tides. Regarding future
missions, mission proposals (precipitation and oceanographic observations) were made to the TF Remote Sensing subcommittee.
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