Naohiko Kohtake: Space Utilization Susume

2018/07/27

Efforts to utilize space are becoming more active. Most man-made objects in space are satellites, and there are already more than 4,400 of them. Most of them are classified into three types: Earth observation satellites represented by "Himawari," communication and broadcasting satellites represented by BS/CS, and positioning satellites represented by GPS and "Michibiki." Japan is also a space-faring nation that possesses these satellites. In recent years, satellites have become more sophisticated, smaller, and less expensive, making it possible for any country to own ultra-small satellites the size of a table. It is becoming possible for anyone to own and share their own satellite, such as "My Satellite" or "Satellite Sharing."

The use of satellites is effective in solving various social issues. It is possible to cover a wide area across national borders, and by storing that data, changes and differences can be understood from global issues to regional issues. In our laboratory, for example, in Malaysia, we are designing a system that acquires farm terrain data using Earth observation satellites and drones and uses positioning satellites to navigate farmers to optimal planting positions. In Cambodia, for farmers who want to receive loans and financial institutions that want to provide loans, we are designing a system that calculates repayment/lending risk using farmers' daily farming data and farmland data obtained from Earth observation satellites. In the field of sports, we are also working on initiatives such as attaching GPS receivers to athletes to constantly measure exercise data during daily practice and matches, and combining this with biological data to prevent injuries and improve training. In fact, the Juku Rugby Football Club is seeing various effects from this.

What is important when taking on the challenge of solving social issues using satellites? It is to understand the issue from both a bird's-eye and a detailed perspective. Furthermore, it is necessary to clarify the true expectations and feelings of the people and communities facing those issues together. Through this, I feel every day that the use of satellites is useful for solving various social issues. To that end, I want to work with many people in Japan and abroad, centered on Keio University's affiliated schools, universities, graduate schools, and research institutions, to create initiatives and environments where those who challenge social issues become interested in space utilization, and those involved in space utilization become interested in solving various social issues.