Statement of Purpose

• As a researcher at the University of Tokyo, I have had the chance to take part in multiple satellite development initiatives. My Ph.D. coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, opening the opportunity to join online collaborative projects with colleagues from around the world. For example, I worked with students and faculty members in a Cambodian university to implement a collaborative CubeSat design challenge. I also mentored a team of high-school students in Hong Kong as part of a pilot CubeSat design contest. Towards the end of the pandemic, I was fortunate to conduct a research placement at the Kyushu Institute of Technology, where I contributed to the development of a 1U CubeSat.
• These experiences revealed to me the power of satellites as an educational tool, not only to learn about space technology, but as an entry point into systems design, project management, and international collaboration in general. Space capacity building is an activity I find deeply rewarding, and I am motivated to continuously expand my knowledge of small satellite development especially from a hands-on perspective.

Feedback from CLTP13

In every respect, the quality of the CLTP13 was extremely high. During the first part of the training, we were exposed to the entire lifecycle of small satellite development, through the lens of systems engineering, via a series of lectures. In parallel, each participant was provided with access to their own HEPTA-Sat kit, and had the chance to progressively assemble, integrate, and test its different subsystems. The process was supported by a comprehensive textbook, and teaching assistants were always close by to answer questions and offer guidance. The classes were complemented by online quizzes, which helped to consolidate learning, and incorporated regular presentations by us to boost our confidence in explaining the concepts we had learnt and receive feedback. It was amazing that within only around a week, we ourselves as participants became trainers for a second generation of learners from Japanese space companies. The schedule was compact and well-organized and yet there was plenty of time to socialize with other participants, trainers, and the Japanese teaching assistants. I felt very well taken care of at each step, and I came away from the program with improved knowledge of satellite systems engineering, especially regarding onboard electronics, to which I had received limited exposure beforehand.

Vision for the future

My goal is to "pass it on". I aim to transfer the knowledge I gained in the training to a new generation of students, in Japan and overseas, and to incorporate it into my own, collaborative satellite development projects.

Message for future CLTP participants

The CLTP caters to a wide variety of participants. For newcomers to the space field, it provides an accessible entry point into the entire process of space systems engineering. For experienced spacecraft developers, it offers a concise overview of all satellite subsystems and their interactions, with a hands-on focus, providing a bridge beyond specialization. If you are interested in space education and space engineering, I can think of no better program for learning about mission design and development, and for growing skills in how to teach the subject to other learners with clarity and passion.