ニュース

On October 2, 2025, a delegation from the German Aerospace Center (DLR) visited Department of Aerospace Engineering to exchange information on ongoing research and explore potential collaborations and academic exchange in aerospace research. The DLR delegation consisted of four members, Richard Becker (Program Directorate for Aeronautics Research), Daniel Suelberg (Head of National Experimental Test Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems), Dr. Christian Heideck (DLR Tokyo Office) and Dr. Adel Schröpfer (IFAR Executive Secretary and Program Specialist Aeronautics).

The visit started with a tour of Mori & Ogawa Lab Aerospace Propulsion Engineering, where the DLR team was briefed on the ongoing research on sustainable aviation fuel combustion, atmospheric suction plasma jet propulsion, and space debris removal by laser ablation. This was followed by an overview of the department, given by Prof. Shimomura, and several research lab topics (Prof. Shimomura, Prof. Sasaki and Associate Prof. Andreeva-Mori). Richard Becker provided an overview of the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Germany’s largest research organization for aeronautics and space, operating over 30 research institutes and facilities across more than 20 locations in Germany. He presented an overview of DLR’s cutting-edge projects in aviation and space, focusing on green aviation and innovative propulsion technologies.  

Both parties discussed the potential for future collaboration on topics such as propulsion, control, fluid dynamics and aircraft operations, and opportunities for student and young researchers exchange, and agreed to explore these opportunities in further detail through off-line information exchange and follow-up discussions.

The visit presented students with the chance to explain their research in person to foreign researchers. In reflecting on the experience, the Ph.D. candidate Yotou Ko commented: “Although the time for this research presentation was short, it was a very rare opportunity to share my own work. During the discussion, I received very meaningful questions from experts, and it was an extremely valuable visit.”. Shoh Saitoh, a Master’s student who took part in the exchange shared the following impressions: “It was a truly inspiring experience. While realizing the importance of English, I also felt that knowledge and understanding in engineering, and particularly in the aerospace field, served as a common language. This made me appreciate the importance of continuous learning in communication. It was an invaluable opportunity that allowed me to experience firsthand the significance of thinking logically about how to explain my current work in a way that others can easily understand, and of applying such logical structure not only to research but to any endeavor.”

Overall, the visit marked an important step toward fostering innovation through international partnerships, reinforcing the Department of Aerospace Engineering’s commitment to global engagement in research and education.

Explanation of the Small Jet Engine Test Facility by Assistant Prof. Ogawa

Prof. Shimomura giving an overview of the department

Prof. Sasaki introducing research at his lab

Richard Becker presenting DLR’s research in aviation